Eroglu spoke with Fule over the phone; Eroglu asked the suspension of the oil exploration works by the Republic of Cyprus for the sake of the Cyprus talks
Ankara Anatolia news agency (17.09.11) reported that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu had on Saturday a phone conversation with the European Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule.
Eroglu expressed his sensitivities about Greek Cypriot administration’s oil and natural gas exploration initiatives to the European Union (EU).
Illegal Bayrak TV channel reported that during the phone talk, Eroglu requested that the “Greek Cypriot administration” should put off its initiatives to explore oil and natural gas for the sake of the ongoing Cyprus negotiations and as a requirement of promises made to United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Eroglu drew attention to the timing of the Greek Cypriot initiatives, and told Fule that the EU should take action to prevent a possible problem.
Eroglu said that the Turkish Cypriots would not give up their rights, and would not refrain from taking necessary steps.
According to reports, Fule is carrying telephone diplomacy with all concerned parties.
Eroglu warns that the Republic of Cyprus’ oil drilling will have a negative impact to Cyprus reunification talks; He will discuss the issue with Ban
Ankara Anatolia news agency (17.09.11) reported that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu once more warned the Greek Cypriots on Saturday regarding their oil and natural gas exploration initiatives.
Speaking to reporters before his departure for Turkey–where he will fly to New York for the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, Eroglu asked the “Greek Cypriot administration” to review its stance for the sake of the future of the ongoing Cyprus negotiations. “I have proposed Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias to delay oil explorations, and these explorations should be postponed just for the sake of negotiations”.
Eroglu said that the Turkish Cypriots had pledged to go on with negotiations till the end of October without causing any problems, and then to go to New York to confirm agreed issues and to seek opportunities for a compromise. “When I told Christofias that we will have to take some measures (if explorations are not delayed), he told me that there was no need to sit at the negotiation table, and this stance will have a negative effect on negotiations,” he said.
Eroglu said it was time for an agreement, and he thought that the parties should focus on a possible agreement instead of causing tension or new conflicts.
He also said that the “TRNC” would continue to monitor developments regarding Greek Cypriot initiatives to explore oil and natural resources.
