We call on Turkey to accept Cyprus’ invitation to engage in negotiations, in good faith and in full respect of international law, with the objective of reaching agreement on the maritime delimitation between their relevant coasts, or to submit the issue to the International Court of Justice, Cyprus Defence Minister, Charalambos Petrides said in an interview with UAE TV channel Alarabiya.
Referring to Turkey`s actions with regard to the fenced off area of Varosha, Petrides said that irrespective of what the EU and indeed the Security Council of the UN has stated, the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan intends to open the fenced area of Varosha, in a manner contrary to what the relevant SC resolutions prescribe, i.e. transfer of the administration of the area to the UN so as for the lawful owners and legal inhabitants to return to their homes, in anticipation of an overall settlement of the Cyprus problem.
Moreover, he said that Erdogan`s position for a two-state solution in Cyprus is in absolute contradiction to the agreed basis of a bizonal bicommunal federation that is provided in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and a solution in line with EU law, values and principles that that the EU is striving at.
With regard to Turkey’s provocative behaviour and illegal actions against Cyprus, Petrides said that “at a time when Cyprus with other neighbouring and friendly countries are trying to promote a new regional framework for cooperation of bilateral and trilateral partnerships, as well as are strengthening and increasing cooperation with Mediterranean EU powers, and other neighbouring states, Turkey is the only state in the region that chooses provocations, escalations, threats and disinformation as a basis for its foreign policy, he noted.
He also referred to the EastMed Gas Forum, noting that unfortunately, Turkey excludes itself from it, adopting a completely irrelevant revisionist approach, expansionist behaviour and highly aggressive rhetoric towards anyone opposing its illegal plans.
The Minister stressed that Cyprus has no option but to continue to cooperate with all those who embrace common European principles and values and international law.
Referring to Medusa military exercise, he noted that the exercise started at 2017 as an outcome of the trilateral defence cooperation between Cyprus-Greece and Egypt. We consider it as a very important Exercise as it is a large scale, joint exercise with the participation of a large number of naval and air assets, he added.
He said that it is especially important for building up interoperability and cooperation between our countries for promoting stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Petrides noted that “this year, for the first time, we are extremely grateful to have the United Arab Emirates and France joining this Exercise. We welcome their participation and we are sure that both countries will contribute immensely to the goals of the exercise.”
He said that with the addition of the UAE and of France, Exercise Medusa is becoming even more important and significant for the region’s stability and cooperation.
Petrides stressed that the UAE’s interest for the stability in the Eastern Mediterranean is hugely important to us and to other partner countries in the region, including Greece, Egypt and very recently Israel.
As regards the message that is given through these drills, he noted that “we can demonstrate our willingness for working towards the goal of peace and stability as well as for countering threats and acts of provocation and aggression.”
Referring to Cyprus – UAE bilateral cooperation, Petrides said that Cyprus is the closest EU member state to Gulf countries. “Hence our role as bridge between the Gulf and the EU is very important and cardinal to our foreign and defence policy,” he noted.
Petrides said that Cyprus and the UAE have strong bonds of cooperation and friendship and that most recently at the joint ministerial committee at the level of Foreign Ministers, the two countries agreed a renewed and ambitious programme of bilateral cooperation in many areas such as trade, investments, culture, maritime, higher education and of course defence and security cooperation.
He welcomed the keen interest shown by the UAE for developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, and stressed that the prospects for cooperation both on a bilateral and on a trilateral basis are enormous.
Moreover he elaborated on the trilateral formats, which Cyprus and Greece have set up with countries in the regions, noting that cooperation and consultation is key for managing threats and provocations.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. e latest UN backed round of talks took place in the Swiss resort of Crans Montana but failed to yield any results.
Ankara sent on several occasions seismic research vessels to Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), to conduct unauthorised drilling activities of hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean, in areas licensed by Cyprus to international energy companies.
The European Council reaffirmed its full solidarity with Cyprus, regarding the respect of its sovereignty and sovereign rights in accordance with international law and in February 2020, placed two persons under restrictive measures, in relation to Turkey`s unauthorised drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Turkish side illegally opened on October 8 part of the beach of the abandoned town of Famagusta, in violation to numerous UN resolutions.
Varosha, the fenced off section of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta, is often described as a ‘ghost town’. UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984) considers any attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN. UN Security Council resolution 789 (1992) also urges that with a view to the implementation of resolution 550 (1984), the area at present under the control of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus be extended to include Varosha.
