Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Albayrak: “Turkish Cypriots have equal rights to the natural resources of the island”

Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Berat Albayrak said yesterday that Turkey will continue to support and defend the rights of the TRNC and the Turkish Cypriot people, stressing that Turkish Cypriots have equal rights to the island’s natural resources.

Speaking at the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) in Baku, Minister Albayrak touched upon the latest crucial developments in the Eastern Mediterranean. Stating that Turkey was determined to use all its rights stemming from international law in the Eastern Mediterranean in particular, Turkish Minister Albayrak said that Turkey would continue seismic exploration and drilling activities in Turkey’s maritime zone in the Eastern Mediterranean.

“The Greek Cypriot side’s unilateral parcelling activities, which are contrary to international law, were unacceptable. Turkey has been pursuing a prudent, constructive and reasonable policy for a just solution in Cyprus. In particular, within the framework of the Annan Plan, Turkey took important steps on the UN platform to find a just and effective solution.

“Turkey’s approach, which prioritises peace, should not be seen as passiveness. Despite our efforts for peace and prosperity for the two sides in Cyprus what we see today is an effort to achieve a fait accompli. If the Turkish Cypriots’ rights to the natural resources in Cyprus are ignored then Turkey will always be against this,” said Turkish Minister Albayrak.