Where is this supposed “shielding” of the Cypriot EEZ?
Statements by the General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL A.Kyprianou
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 23 January 2020, Nicosia
Concerning the reactions of governing DISY party President A.Neofytou and Foreign Minister N.Christodoulides with regards supposedly personal attacks launched against them by AKEL, I will say that the ruling Democratic Rally party has one ability which I acknowledge it does have. Namely, it gives itself the right to act as it wants, to say whatever it wants to, but at the same time others have no right whatsoever to criticize it.
They have a short memory. They have forgotten their references to the people of AKEL as “zeros”, to Turkish Cypriot “borrowed votes” (in the European elections), “tricksters”, “incompetents” and criticizing what we have to say. We put forth arguments and facts. I will repeat something on the energy issue. I do not believe there is a single Cypriot who is not worried about Turkey’s escalating provocative actions and aggression. The Turkish vessel “Yavuz” will drill in a block licensed to the ‘EMI’ and ‘Total’ energy companies. The Minister of Foreign Affairs insists even with this situation, to stress in all tones and at all levels, that the government ruling forces have shielded both politically and legally the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus.
Our question is quite simple. Where is this supposed “shielding” of the EEZ?
How has it prevented Turkey from carrying out these extremely provocative actions against the Republic of Cyprus?
Trilateral cooperations are positive, the statements issued by the US, Britain and other officials are positive. The crucial question is what their outcome is. Do their statements end Turkey’s provocative actions?
In contrast, I would like to remind them that when D. Christofias was President of the Republic of Cyprus, without much fuss and big empty talk, he proceeded to drillings. And when Turkey threatened to intervene, the international community reacted strongly and forced Turkey to keep its ships in its ports.
