MEMBER STATE SOLIDARITY HAS TURNED INTO “HORSE BLINDERS”
The support afforded blindly by the European Union (EU) to the Greek Cypriot administration, which it has illegally accepted as a member due to purely political considerations, has turned into an unjust situation of usurpation of the rights of the Turkish Cypriots. While the EU should also uphold a position of acknowledging and respecting the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, the fact that it has gradually assumed the position of patron of the Greek Cypriots gravely shakes the foundations upon which the EU is founded. This stance of the European Union has, once again, demonstrated that the EU will not be impartial and fair regarding the resolution of the Cyprus problem and the hydrocarbon issue, thus confirming the legitimacy of our mistrust of the EU.
Those parties who are making statements regarding the hydrocarbon resources around the island are disregarding, deliberately or otherwise, the existence of licenses granted by the TRNC Government relating to the area and the fact that Turkey is a country which recognizes the TRNC State. On which legitimate basis do those parties, who refer to the sovereignty of the Greek Cypriots and their sovereign rights over natural resources overlook the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, whom they acknowledge as having equal rights? Those who are doing so are disregarding the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Turkish Cypriots, hence acting unlawfully and unjustly.
“IF TURKISH CYPRIOTS’ RIGHTS ARE NOT SOVEREIGN RIGHTS, THEN WHAT ARE THEY?”
In respect to natural gas and natural resources, it constitutes a violation of the sovereign rights of the Turkish Cypriots if only the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Greek Cypriots are referred to and the Greek Cypriots reject even to speak about this issue with the Turkish Cypriots. As the Turkish Cypriot People, we deem it unacceptable that in the face of all of the activities and steps taken over the past 10 years by the Greek Cypriot side, which has granted licenses and conducted seismic surveys, are welcomed and not defined as provocative, but the equivalent actions of the Turkish Cypriot side regarding its own rights are deemed as provocative. Moreover, attributing blame to Turkey in order to disregard and overlook the Turkish Cypriots is also unacceptable.
Aside from the ongoing activities to the west of Cyprus, those to the east and south are not carried out on behalf of the Republic of Turkey or under claims of her maritime jurisdiction zone, but rather are works conducted by a company within the framework of the licenses granted to it on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot People. Hence, the works being carried out to the east around Karpaz as well as to the south are authorised by the Turkish Cypriot People and the TRNC Government. Against this background, it is unacceptable that the rights of the Turkish Cypriots are being disregarded by way of targeting the Republic of Turkey.
It is also categorically unacceptable that the EU pushes aside one of the fundamental principles upon which it is founded and which it highlights at every opportunity, namely the prerequisite of being a democratic government with representation, in order to justify its illegal stance. EU is overlooking that there is no democratic government in Cyprus capable of representing all sides on the island. It does this by citing so-called solidarity with a so-called state which it has accepted as a so-called member against all its laws and regulations, as well as disregarding the rights of the Turkish Cypriots over natural resources, which is deplorable. This situation does not serve peace and stability in the region but rather threatens it by fuelling injustice.
It is a welcome fact that, soon, those who have not understood or internalized EU principles which the EU persistently underlines, will no longer be in office. We hope that those who will assume these posts will afford utmost importance to the principles of justice, international law and fairness.
THE STATEMENTS ISSUED ARE POISONING RECONCILIATION ATMOSPHERE
It is extremely unfortunate and self-contradicting for those, who purport to embrace, and base all negotiation processes on the principle that the future of the island of Cyprus will be determined by the two peoples by way of agreement and approved at two separate referenda, to now give the opportunity to only one of the sides to determine the future of the island on vital issues such as maritime jurisdiction, continental shelf and natural resources.
Despite the constructive approach of the Turkish Cypriot side, which has consistently made calls for cooperation over the years as well as realistic, implementable pragmatic proposals, the abovementioned approach and statements are unfortunately poisoning the atmosphere of potential reconciliation and cooperation on this issue. The EU, in its recent statement, assumes the role of a court, making judgements and decisions on this matter, which is not in line with international law. International law, as well as the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, stipulate that solutions to such discords should be reached by way of negotiation between the sides without delay. However, it is unacceptable, as well as contrary to principles of fairness, to afford privilege and advantage to only one of the sides throughout the period until an agreement is reached on the matter. In this connection, this statement of the EU is a clear violation of international law.