Interview of Toumazos Tsielepis, member of the AKEL Political Bureau and Head of the Cyprus Problem Bureau of the C.C. of AKEL, to the Turkish newspaper “Birgun” 20 July 2019
- What is your Party’s approach and view on the crisis surrounding the natural gas issue that is increasingly deepening off the coast of Cyprus?
TT: We believe that the continued tension with regards the natural gas around Cyprus does not serve anyone. The issue of hydrocarbons represents a powerful incentive for all sides to work towards a mutually acceptable solution of the Cyprus problem. The overall settlement of our political problem will in effect also solve the natural gas issue, given that the relative Christofias-Talat convergences since 2010 already exist. In the case the Cyprus problem is solved, the only issue that will remain outstanding will be that of the demarcation of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) between federal Cyprus and Turkey, a problem with which we can live until its definitive solution.
- Do you have proposals for the solution of this situation/procedure/ course?
TT: Of course we have proposals as a serious Party that is struggling with consistency for a solution to our political problem for the benefit of both communities; proposals that constitute a fair compromise and take into account the genuine concerns of all sides.
Firstly, a way must definitely be found to resume the negotiation procedure on the Cyprus problem from the point where we had remained at Crans Montana. There, we had come very close on the six key issues and through a speedy process it will basically become apparent whether we can arrive at a solution or not. Of course for the procedure to resume, Turkey must also suspend its activities and give space and time to the talks.
Secondly, the reconfirmation of the above-mentioned convergences is imperative, which, among other things, also address the question of the allocation of the natural gas revenues. We have no problem with the establishment of a relevant Fund as Mr. Akinci pretty much has proposed. Of course, all this presupposes a solution of the Cyprus problem.
Thirdly, we believe that after the solution, negotiations between federal Cyprus and Turkey can begin for a delimitation. Regardless of the course of this effort the passage of a natural gas pipeline to Turkey either for its own use or for channeling to Europe should be discussed on commercial terms.
- How does this procedure between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides move forward? And how must it proceed?
TT: Unfortunately, there hasn’t been an ongoing procedure for two years now. There is a pressing need for its resumption in the way the Secretary General of the UN proposes and which is none other than the one I have mentioned. The speedy solution of the Cyprus problem within the agreed framework of bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as defined in the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council is in the interests of Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Turkey, Greece and peace in the troubled East Mediterranean region.
