Turkish FM statements provocative, unacceptable and contrary to every concept of International Law

Statement by Christos Christofides, member of the Political Bureau of the C.C. of AKEL

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 22 February 2019, Nicosia

Yesterday’s statements by the Turkish Foreign Minister according to which Cyprus is perceived as a “strategic objective and national cause” of Turkey are at the very least provocative, unacceptable and contrary to every concept of International Law. The Republic of Cyprus as an independent and sovereign state does not belong to anybody other than to its own people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

The same also applies for the hydrocarbons that are located within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus, and they are the common heritage of both communities. The rights of the Turkish Cypriots in particular are safeguarded through the convergences that have already been recorded on the natural resources, maritime zones and the distribution of the revenues. As for the delimitation with Turkey, this can be done after the solution of the Cyprus problem if Ankara cooperates as provided for by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

We strongly believe that only with a solution of the Cyprus problem will the East Mediterranean become a region of genuine and sincere cooperation. Ankara’s threats do not serve this goal in any way whatsoever. On the contrary, they increase tensions, at a time when all sides are called upon to work with the UN Secretary General’s envoy on Cyprus Mrs. Lute to agree on the terms of reference and to continue the procedure of solving the Cyprus problem from where it had remained at Crans Montana.

As for the “concern” expressed by Mr. Cavousoglou’s about a more negative image of Turkey emerging after the European elections, it would be good if he reflected on the extent to which the unacceptable positions and political choices of Ankara itself are causing this image.