Our country’s energy prospects must become a lever for the solution and reunification
Statement by Neoklis Sylikiotis, AKEL Political Bureau member
Our country’s energy prospects must become a lever for the solution and reunification not a pretext for abandoning the priority of the solution of the Cyprus problem
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 8th December 2019, Nicosia
Cyprus has every reason to seek regional cooperation with all the states of the region, to foster mutually beneficial relations that should promote peace, the respect for International Law and the exploitation of natural wealth to the benefit of the peoples of our region. However, this is very far from the perceptions and illusions systematically being cultivated by the Anastasiades government that the ‘Trilateral Partnerships’ or military partnerships with Israel and the US will shield the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) or that Cyprus has become a “geopolitical master of the Mediterranean”. The reality is quite different. Turkey – taking advantage of the absence of a negotiation procedure on the Cyprus problem – is provocatively stepping up its aggression, creating new illegal fait accompli against Cyprus, but without the corresponding international reaction.
In any case, Cyprus must not and cannot accept Turkey’s claims that are not based on international law and the law of the sea, nor the occupying power’s aggression. AKEL’s position is that the Republic of Cyprus’ energy programme should continue, without any hype and communication games, but on the basis of a comprehensive strategic planning. That is precisely why the fact that since 2013 the plans and structures for our country’s energy program have dismantled is a serious mistake. The planning for the construction of a liquefaction terminal was abandoned. Every day arrogant announcements are being made, but they almost never end in any action or development. Instead of yielding practical results, government policy is characterized by regressions and delays.
The discovery of hydrocarbon deposits in the Cyprus EEZ in 2011 created a new situation for our country, great challenges and huge prospects. It opened a window of hope for the future of our country and people, both for the exploitation of our country’s natural wealth to the benefit of all Cypriots, as well as for the cause of the Cyprus problem, since the country’s energy prospects must and can become a lever for the solution and reunification and not a pretext for abandoning the priority of the solution of the Cyprus problem. That is why the exploitation of our country’s natural wealth must continue, with our parallel and unwavering readiness for a resumption of substantive negotiations for a solution on the basis of the agreed framework, which is the top priority for the future of our people and homeland.
