The unimpeded exercise of the inalienable right to explore and drill is guaranteed only with the solution of the Cyprus problem
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 16th January 2018, Nicosia
The Republic of Cyprus has a sovereign right to explore and drill in the Exclusive Economic Zone for the discovery and exploitation of its natural resources and this is recognized by the entire international community. That being said, we are fully aware that the unimpeded exercise of this inalienable right is guaranteed without any hindrance whatsoever only with the solution of the Cyprus problem.
The statement by the representative of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Baris Burcu that Turkey will begin drilling in the Mediterranean is unfortunate and further exacerbates the already tense atmosphere created after the breakdown of the Crans Montana conference. As Mr. Burcu himself has said referring to the latest report drawn up by the Secretary-General of the UN, the natural resources around Cyprus are a common wealth. There is the relevant Christofias – Talat convergence, which the UN Secretary-General himself recalls and, therefore, with the overall solution of the Cyprus problem, this issue will be solved.
What is imperative at this precise moment is not unnecessary tensions, but the need to focus on the effort for a solution. The UN Secretary-General in his last two reports shows the path that must be pursued in order to achieve this difficult goal. Stavros Malas will follow this path because this is the only way we will be able to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem, liberation and reunification and to make use of the natural gas with complete security to the benefit of both communities. We are also calling on the Turkish Cypriot side to pursue the same path.
