Unprecedented statements by the UN GS Special Adviser on hydrocarbons issue

 

Statement of Stefanos Stefanou, member of the Political Bureau of AKEL

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 28th November 2014, Nicosia

 

In an interview yesterday to the state CBC broadcaster the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Mr. Espen Barth Eide clarified that he does not propose co-management of Cyprus’ hydrocarbons today, but the setting up of a panel of experts from both communities to discuss their future management. He acknowledged that International Law must be respected and that according to this the Republic of Cyprus has sovereign rights in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). He also referred to the Christofias – Talat and Christofias – Eroglu convergences according to which the issue of hydrocarbons will be a federal capacity. Furthermore, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus stressed the need for de-escalation so that the negotiation procedure can be resumed. These are all correct positions.

However Mr. Eide also expressed views with which we can only disagree with. We refer to the depreciating of the fact that the suspension of the negotiation procedure was decided because of Turkey’s provocative actions within the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus. Most importantly, Mr. Eide underlined that the Greek Cypriot side is taking decisions that will have future consequences. He ignores the fact that these decisions are not taken by the Greek Cypriot side, but by the internationally recognized state. It is inconceivable that the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser is demanding from the Republic of Cyprus that it abandons the exercise of its sovereign rights. This is unprecedented and unheard of and never before has the United Nations demanded anything like this from us.

The convergences to which Mr. Eide referred to, address the natural gas issue in the event of a solution in a broad sense. Given that these convergences are valid and do apply, therefore the group of experts he is proposing should discuss solely issues of management after the solution is unnecessary.

These positions of Mr. Eide must cause reflection. Is anyone concerned about this situation? What does President Anastasiades have to say? Does he continue to believe that we don’t need to take the initiative?