Özersay: “Maraş is needed to overturn the status quo”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kudret Özersay evaluated the current situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and negotiation process in Cyprus and the issue of the opening of the Maraş, to the Anadolu Agency.

Foreign Minister Özersay said ‘Maraş is not on the government’s program, but since we have a similar vision we aim to uncover the scientific data, accordingly shape the correct policy and make it a reality in the future. Greek Cypriots say we need to talk about Maraş and it needs to re-open under the United Nations. However talks on Maraş with the Greek Cypriots will be futile since they do not cooperate on the natural gas reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean, which is in the territory of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus saying it is issue of their sovereignty and they would not discuss their sovereignty with the Turkish Cypriots. Nevertheless they expect us to talk with them about Maraş which is in our sovereign base. If Greek Cypriots want to change the situation, they need to reconsider their approach’.

Minister Özersay stated that there is no reason to wait for Maraş since negotiations for a comprehensive solution are caught in a deadlock and added ‘Life goes on. Why is there life going on in other parts of this island, which is the subject of a comprehensive solution, and why should life be frozen in Maraş? The closed Maraş has become a symbol of the status quo in Cyprus over the years. Therefore, after 50 years of negotiation with no results and no common vision between the parties, a change in the status of Maraş is needed to overturn the status quo’.