Özersay “Consensus cannot be achieved without the TRNC and Turkey’s attendance and acceptance in the Eastern Mediterranean”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kudret Özersay met with academicians and politicians in Turkey to discuss the Cyprus issue hosted by İstanbul Culture University (ICU).

Following the meeting which was closed to the press, Özersay made a statement to Demirören News Agency (DHA) and regarding the ‘Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum’ which was organized with the official participation of 7 countries with coasts in the Mediterranean Sea at the beginning of last week in Egypt, he  said: “Consensus cannot be achieved without the TRNC and Turkey’s attendance and acceptance in the Eastern Mediterranean and the region can turn into an area where unnecessary discussions and tensions occur and the stability could be damaged.”

Özersay also pointed out the importance of the agreement on the natural gas for the stability of the region and peace. At the same time, Özersay said: “The important thing is not only a fighting possibility but also economic sanctions, economic losses and sense of responsibility in terms of international companies.

Not only third world countries but also international companies have to force the Greek Cypriot side to sit down and negotiate with the Turkish Cypriot side and agree on natural gas. This is important for the stability, peace and mutual economic dependence of the region.

Stating that a partnership should be developed based on cooperation, Özersay said that the two communities want a federal partnership but both sides understand differently. Federation is a kind of partnership based on sharing administration and wealth. It is seen that the Greek Cypriot side does not want to share administration and wealth, and they do not tolerate political equality and active participation. It was seen in the 2004 referendum when they refused the comprehensive solution plan.

Özersay added “Today at this stage, I think that many things have not changed. What is more important is that the Greek Cypriot Administration has started drilling by disregarding the Turkish Cypriot side, and aims to operate the natural resources and marketing to the world market. This reality is seen by the international community but not prevented. Therefore, the Greek Cypriot Administration does not consider it necessary to share the wealth with the Turkish Cypriots”.

Pointing out the importance of cooperation, Özersay said that the development of mutual dependency relations in terms of economy will contribute to the peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean for the future of Cyprus. If all sides cooperate on the issues of trade, tourism, energy and natural gas, conflict and instability will be prevented in the region.

Özersay underlined that they will not give up their rights and benefits and said:”The TRNC with Turkey will follow a policy which intends to solve the problems, not to make clashes. However this must not read that we will give up our rights and benefits. We will conduct an active diplomacy to protect and promote our rights and benefits both in the Eastern Mediterranean and the international community in the following days. In addition, as the TRNC, we want to be a part of the international community for fighting against terrorism, money laundering, crime and extradition’.

Özersay also stated that pushing the TRNC out of the international law is not acceptable and stressed that the TRNC is not a black hole and does not want to be the black hole. Contemporary Turkish Cypriot people are sharing the values of the international community therefore I do not accept our being pushed out of the international law.