Özersay: “Let’s become good neighbours”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kudret Özersay stated that the drilling studies in the Eastern Mediterranean to be started by drilling vessel Fatih were a turning point.

Stating that the Greek Cypriot side’s efforts to create unilateral ‘fait accompli’ in the Eastern Mediterranean resulted in Turkey’s buying two drilling vessels, Özersay said: “Nevertheless we do not want bad neighbours, let us become good neighbours, and operate these resources which belong to both communities, and manage and share together.

Özersay made statements to the Demirören News Agency (DHA) and said that “the Greek Cypriot political leadership has to show us that they are ready and willing to share both the political power and the natural riches with us.”

Expressing that it is very clear that the Greek Cypriot leadership is not ready to share the administration and richness in a federal partnership, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Özersay said: “Unless this mentality and attitude changes, a federal partnership does not seem very realistic. The natural gas issue is really a test for understanding whether the Greek Cypriot side really wants such a solution. “

Reminding that the Greek Cypriot side became a member of the European Union after they voted “No” in the referendum, Özersay said that the status inequality and unfair situation created by the international community are the sources of many problems that we face today.

Özersay called for the Greek Cypriot side  “Let’s first discuss the issue of natural resources in order to manage and operate them together” adding that the Greek Cypriot political leadership does not accept even to discuss this issue by showing this as a sovereign matter he said : “What do they expect us to do? We cannot sit back and be a spectator! The drilling vessels that Turkey has purchased are the most important developments showing that this will not be the case.