THE UNITED Nations urged restraint in an escalating dispute over gas exploration around Cyprus yesterday, saying the controversy had not affected peace talks and that it hoped that would remain the case.
Envoy Alexander Downer also said that the United Nations could consider a mediating role provided that the sides asked for its involvement.
He was speaking after a five-hour meeting between President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu as part of the ongoing negotiations.
“We really want these (peace) talks to succeed, we are putting our main effort into making sure these talks do succeed, and in the meantime we hope the two sides, or the various sides, will act with due restraint..to ensure that in no way this issue derails these talks,” said Downer.
“Now so far, so good,” he added.
Downer said that when an overall agreement was reached, issues regarding the natural resources of Cyprus would be handled by the federal government. This was an additional incentive for a settlement, he said.
Downer said that at yesterday’s meeting, the leaders had discussed EU matters. They will meet again on Friday to discuss security, the UN envoy said. The leader’s aides are due to meet tomorrow.
Downer said that as of next week, the talks would enter a new phase to cover the period up to October 24, in the run up to next month’s planned meeting with the UN Secretary-General SG Ban Ki-moon.
Speaking on his return to the north, Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu said the two leaders did not discuss natural gas during the meeting.
The signing of the ‘continental shelf’ pact with Turkey in New York showed the Turkish Cypriot resolve, he said. “The important thing is the fact this agreement was made and the location it was made in. If you take that into consideration, automatically it shows that the TRNC sent a strong message to the international community. And the Greek Cypriot side was affected by the steps we took.”
Responding to Downer’s comments, government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said: “The issue of hydrocarbon deposits does not concern and has nothing to do with the negotiations to solve the Cyprus problem.”
“The two communities of Cyprus are participating in the talks. The issue of exploring and exploiting any natural resources is the sovereign right of the Cyprus Republic, which the ROC exercises always within the framework of international law.”
