Bagis claims stonewalling Cyprus deal would have consequences
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (27.09.11), during a joint press conference with self-styled minister of foreign affairs Huseyin Ozgurgun, Turkey’s European Union Minister Egemen Bagis said: “Unless a partition is made, everyone on the island has the right to every place on the island. The current picture shows which side prevents the island from reaching a solution. But those who try stonewalling the settlement talks, will pay the price.”
Bagis said the Cyprus Government should immediately halt offshore drilling for oil and gas reserves around the island and take necessary steps to ease tensions “in the light of its past experiences about Turkey’s determination”.
“If the Greek Cypriot drilling yields a result, Turkey and the TRNC [breakaway regime] would not hesitate to do what is needed. Do not make a mistake: we know how to stand up for our rights,” Bagis said.
Responding to a question on the course of Turkey’s relations with the EU under the Cyprus presidency, Bagis said Turkey would not participate in the meetings of the European Union presidency until the Cyprus Government hands over the post.
“Turkey’s EU process is 52 years-old. We would not be bothered if it was delayed for another six months. We will resume our relations with the EU presidency after the Greek Cypriot helm is over,” Bagis said.
Ozgurgun said on Tuesday that the “TRNC was sitting at the negotiation table for agreement and solution”, adding that “Bagis’ visit to TRNC was a great support to the Turkish Cypriots”.
Alleging that the Cyprus Government was trying to prevent a solution and the Turkish Cypriot side was sad over it, Ozgurgun claimed: “We are at the table for agreement and solution. We keep assuming a positive stance for solution. Exploration for oil and gas is an artificial issue. Drilling must be stopped.”
Replying to a question, Ozgurgun said that authority given to TPAO to make research gave a message that the Turkish Cypriots have rights on the natural resources in the island.
Turks from main land Turkey have been migrating to Northen Cyprus and starting their own businesses on other peoples land for years, but yet they say that we must share our findings with them also? I think it is fair to call this hypocrisy, and to say that everything should share equal with the TRNC would then require Main Land Turkey to share their wealth with the island seeing as they are the self proclaimed guarantors of the island.
Its a sad state of affairs. I hope the UN sort this out soon as i can see it will get out of hand if its not resolved.