ROZAKIS – CYPRUS – EEZ
The delineations regarding Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are impeccable and Turkish unilateral or irrational demands“ in Cyprus southern seas are “groundless“ and do not constitute a serious dispute, which could be resolved by an international judicial body.
This was underlined by Christos Rozakis, Professor of International Law at the University of Athens, President of the Administrative Court of the Council of Europe and former first Vice-President of the European Court of Human Rights.
In an interview with the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Professor Rozakis referred to Turkish demands in Cyprus` EEZ, saying that they lack “substantive and legal foundation and they furthermore turn Cyprus into a hostage to unreasonable demands.
“The delineations as regards Cyprus EEZ are impeccable. Unilateral or irrational demands by Turkey, which are based on the groundless argumentation that Turkey can claim maritime zones in Cyprus southern seas, do not constitute a serious dispute which could be resolved by an international judicial body, he said.
Referring to the illegal agreement Ankara has signed with the Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus to delineate what it calls continental shelf, he said the agreement has no legal value since the Turkish Cypriot regime is illegal and cannot conclude bilateral agreements.
As regards the exploratory drilling for hydrocarbon reserves, which began a few weeks ago in Cyprus EEZ, Rozakis said that in the event that natural gas deposits are found, this could give Turkish Cypriots one more incentive to work for the reunification of Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.
The exploitation of natural resources, which will bring economic benefits to the Republic of Cyprus, will work as one more incentive for the Turkish Cypriots towards the reunification of Cyprus, he said, adding that this element, of course, is not enough to achieve reunification.
He also said that the intention of the official state of Cyprus is to distribute the economic benefits that may arise from any future exploitation of hydrocarbon reserves, to the Turkish Cypriots, even at a stage before the reunification of the island.
