Presidential Spokesman Burcu: “Keeping Turkish Cypriots and Turkey out of the energy policy equation is a flawed approach that does not serve peace”

Presidential Spokesman Barış Burcu criticised the recent statement by the Greek Cypriot Administration Spokesman Nikos Hristodulidis, who claimed that “the Turkish Cypriot side wants to sacrifice their rights related to the natural gas resources in the Eastern Mediterranean.”

In a written statement, Burcu responded that trying to keep the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey out of the energy policy equation is a fundamentally flawed strategy that does not serve peace, and added, “The Greek Cypriot side has consistently ignored this simple reality, despite our repeated warnings.”

Burcu said: “President Akıncı discussed the issue of the natural gas exploration activities in the Eastern Mediterranean at his first meeting with the Greek Cypriot Leader Anastasiades on 11 May 2015, and emphasised that these activities should not be the cause of any tension between the two sides. He therefore requested that the unilateral exploration and excavation activities should not continue. He also warned that, in the event that these activities continue, tensions could arise which would adversely impact the settlement negotiations. A consensus was reached on this before the negotiations officially started on 15 May 2015.”

Burcu continued: “The work of our President Mustafa Akıncı has always been solution-oriented, focussing on upholding the legitimate rights of both sides. He has always worked to anticipate any possible obstacles that could jeopardise the solution process, and taken the necessary precautions.”

Burcu emphasized that, with regards to energy resources, President Akıncı respected the common interest of Cyprus and the region. Burcu stated that this is the most appropriate approach to prevent further escalation and bring stability to the island and the wider region.