Çavuşoğlu: “Companies which cooperate with the Greek Cypriots should re-evaluate their situation”

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu warned that companies which cooperate with the Greek Cypriots should re-evaluate their situation. In his statement to Ta Nea newspaper, he evaluated the relationship between the two countries and also mentioned the Cyprus problem.

Describing the approach of the Greek Cypriot side on the hydrocarbon issue as a “dishonesty case” in the Cyprus problem, Çavuşoğlu said: “Greek Cypriots are pretending that the island belongs solely to them.

They also disregard the indispensable rights of Turkish Cypriots by unilateral hydrocarbon activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. They are not ready to share the power with the Turkish Cypriots just as they are not ready to share the island’s natural resources.”

Pointing out that the natural resources on the island do not only belong to the Greek Cypriots and that the Turkish Cypriot side has natural rights, Çavuşoğlu stated that a decision mechanism should be established to equally include the Turkish Cypriots.

Stating that Turkey warned the Greek Cypriot side not to take irresponsible steps since from the very beginning, Çavuşoğlu added: “If they still believe that there is nothing to lose, they are wrong.”

Underlining that Turkey will protect the rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean of both Turkey and Turkish Cypriots, Çavuşoğlu warned that companies that cooperate with the Greek Cypriots in the field of Hydrocarbon should do well to evaluate the cost-benefit analysis and re-evaluate their situation on hydrocarbon issue.

Mentioning that there is no direct relation between the solution of the Cyprus problem and the hydrocarbon issue, Çavuşoğlu said: “There is no need to wait for a settlement for the establishment of a joint decision mechanism for the hydrocarbon issue between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

Reminding that the solution process for the Cyprus problem ended last July, Çavuşoğlu added: “The reason is simple: The Greek Cypriots cannot accept political equality with the Turkish Cypriots.”

Noting that Turkey used the rights of her own continental shelf in the Eastern Mediterranean, Çavuşoğlu said that unilateral steps, invalid bilateral agreements, and maximalist opinions cannot have any legal effect on the sovereign rights of Turkey which stems from international agreements.

Çavuşoğlu stressed that Turkey will completely use her sovereignty rights in the continental shelf in the Mediterranean, adding that in respect of the foreign countries, their companies or vessels are not allowed to work on hydrocarbon or scientific research activities on Turkey’s continental shelf or in the seas.

In this regard, Turkey will begin her hydrocarbon exploration activities soon in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the Black sea maritime jurisdiction areas.