CYPRUS’ right to search for and exploit possible natural gas reserves in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is a non-negotiable sovereign right, President Demetris Christofias said, as he called on Turkey to respect international law.
The president said the hydrocarbons presented a chance for Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to solve the Cyprus problem soon.
In an address last night to mark Independence Day, Christofias said exploring for natural gas was Cyprus sovereign right and “I again want to stress to all those attempting to dispute this right: Our country’s sovereign rights are non-negotiable.”
The president asked for the rights of the country and its people to be respected.
“We demand from others the same respect the Republic of Cyprus shows to international law,” Christofias said. “First and foremost by Turkey, whose occupation (of the island) violates every concept and principle of international law.”
Christofias accused Turkey of creating tension in the region over Cyprus’ decision to launch natural gas exploration.
He said Turkey’s objective was to obstruct Cyprus from exercising a self-evident sovereign right and to equate the breakaway state with the legitimate state.
“We will not be carried away by Turkey’s provocative behaviour,” Christofias said.
The president accused Turkey of using the Turkish Cypriots to further its own expansionist aims.
He said benefitting from the possible reserves would take some years and “until then, if we do not solve the Cyprus problem so that we jointly reap the profits,” then we will be liable to the two communities – the whole Cypriot people.
“The hydrocarbon issue is a challenge. It is a chance to solve the Cyprus problem soon,” Chrstofias said.
Turkey has disputed Cyprus’ right to launch natural gas exploration and has said that it would negatively affect negotiations to resolve the Cyprus problem.
It has sent warships in the area and threatened to launch its own exploration inside the Cypriot EEZ.
Turkey has also asked for the exploration to be suspended until the Cyprus problem was resolved.
The government said yesterday that so far there have been no violations of the area surrounding the rig.
“The Republic of Cyprus has restricted a specific area for exploration and so far there has been no violation of this area,” government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said.
Stefanou stressed that Cyprus’ EEZ, inside which an American company was conducting exploratory drilling was in international waters and “vessels are not prohibited from sailing in this area as long as they do not violate the restricted area.”
The spokesman said Cyprus was monitoring the situation closely and calmly and was careful not to be dragged into “Turkey’s game” of trying to create tensions in the region.
“It is obvious that Turkey, because it cannot legitimise its claims and demands in the political and diplomatic arena, is trying to transfer the matter into the military field,” Stefanou said.
On Thursday, Christofias issued a stern warning to all concerned, including the United Nations, that arbitration on the matter was not on the table.
They “should forget about it. There cannot be arbitration on this matter” and “it is not the UN’s job. The UN’s job is to defend international law, defend the Republic of Cyprus’ sovereign right – which is inalienable – to carry out exploration within its EEZ,” Christofias said. “We will not negotiate this right with anyone.”
The UN said the natural gas issue had not been “discussed at all” during yesterday’s meeting between Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervish Eroglu, neither was there any suggestion to incorporate it in the talks.
