Yesterday’s Cyprus talks

The Cyprus talks will move next week into a heightened phase during which the two leaders will discuss across the chapters, UN Secretary’s Special Representative in Cyprus Lisa Buttenheim said after the leaders’ meeting on Friday.

In a short statement after President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglou concluded their meeting, she said that “the two leaders met today and exchanged views on internal aspects of security”, adding that “they will meet again on Tuesday October 4th at 10 o’clock”.

“Over the past fourteen meetings they have covered all of the chapters”, she said, adding that “next week they will move into a heightened phase to discuss across the chapters”.

Invited to say whether the Turkish Cypriot side has suggested that the natural gas matter be discussed in the context of the talks Buttenheim replied that it has not been suggested.

Replying to a question on how many more meetings the two leaders will hold before their meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon takes place she said that “they have scheduled six meetings over the next three weeks”.

Cyprus was divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded the island occupying 37% of its territory. UN led talks have been ongoing since 2008 between the leaders of the two communities with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.

Turkey, whose troops occupy Cyprus’ northern part since they invaded in 1974, does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus. Following a decision by Nicosia to begin natural gas and oil exploration in its exclusive economic zone, Ankara has deployed warships in the Eastern Mediterranean and has signed an illegal agreement with the Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus to delineate what it calls continental shelf.

Drilling has already begun and is being carried out by Houston-based “Noble Energy”, off Cyprus’ south-eastern coast.

The government of Cyprus has protested to the UN and the EU Turkey’s moves, saying it has a sovereign right to exploit its natural resources, pointing out that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will benefit from any benefits that may come from oil drilling.

Cyprus has signed an agreement to delineate the Exclusive Economic Zone with Egypt and Israel with a view to exploit any possible natural gas and oil reserves in its EEZ. A similar agreement has been signed with Lebanon but the Lebanese Parliament has not yet ratified it.