Cyprus regarding natural gas and oil exploitation in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone ([AOZ], Stephanou said that “Turkey tries to create new faits accomplis on the sea and not just on the ground”.

Spokesman was speaking before overseas Cypriots on the issue of the enlightenment campaign for the Cyprus problem and their efforts to raise awareness in the countries they live about the continuing violation of human rights in Cyprus by Turkey.

Stephanou said the main purpose of the enlightenment policy is to promote the settlement of the Cyprus problem and thanked overseas Cypriots for the very important role they play where they live to internationalize the Cyprus problem.

The government, he added, “is investing too much in their cooperation so that we can continue a strenuous, arduous and difficult struggle in promoting the solution of the Cyprus problem.”

He said that “for us, the solution of the Cyprus problem signifies the end of the Turkish occupation, reunification of the country and its people and restoration of the territorial integrity and human rights and basic freedoms of our people being violated by the occupying power since 1974.”

Referring to the positions of the Greek Cypriot side on the content of the solution of the Cyprus problem, he said that our long-tem positions are fully in line with the relevant UN resolutions on Cyprus, accusing at the same time Turkey of not complying with these resolutions.

This is why, he continued, “we call on the international community to move towards the implementation of these resolutions which the international organization has approved”.

Regarding the negotiations on Cyprus problem, he said that T/C leader Eroglu had breached his commitment to the UN Secretary General that he would continue the UN-led direct talks to solve the problem from the point they were left off with the former T/C leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

He said that instead of doing this, Eroglou had begun bringing issues at the negotiating table which were already discussed and on which convergences had been agreed “.

“This is a prime example”, he concluded, “of how the Turkish side is following delaying tactics in regard to the efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem.”