Özersay: “We will continue to take steps without hesitation to protect the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people”

Within the framework of his Ankara visit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kudret Özersay met with the General Director of the Turkish Petroleum Corporation Melih Bilgin and evaluated natural gas exploration activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. Özersay made a statement regarding his meeting via his social media account and expressed “We will continue to take steps without hesitation to protect the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people”.

Furthermore Özersay added “We evaluated the work of the Turkish Petroleum Corporation executed on behalf of the TRNC, the drilling activity programme and the analysis made for the work executed up to today. We are moving forward our studies in order to put into practice our rights which cannot be denied in the Eastern Mediterranean”.

Stating that they prefer to have cooperation with the Greek Cypriots on the issue of natural resources, Özersay said “Our proposal for cooperation is still valid but if the Greek Cypriot side does not want to cooperate, we cannot wait and do nothing. We will continue to take steps without hesitation.”