Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kudret Özersay held a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.
In his speech at the press conference, Özersay said that they have had consultations regarding the future of the Cyprus Island and the hydrocarbon wealth in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Referring to the report by Guterres, Özersay underlined that the Secretary-General “had made realistic evaluations.” He also pointed to the necessity of maintaining dialogue. Both sides need to have common vision and aim for the future. We always stress this.
In his speech Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoğlu said that they evaluated the latest situation related to the negotiations after Crans-Montana and what they have to do about the exploration of natural gas reserves in the island and what can be done against unilateral steps being taken.
Pointing out that recently some countries have established triple and quadruple contacts with the Greek Cypriot side, Cavusoğlu said that they evaluated how they can protect the rights and interests of Turkey and the TRNC against these.
Stressing that it was important that the UN Secretary General did not insisted on any state or solution model in his report Cavusoğlu said that they will respond to the unilateral steps taken related to hydrocarbon issue in the Eastern Mediterranean and the timing of this was also discussed at the meeting.
Cavusoglu said: “Turkey has been repeatedly stressing that Turkish Cypriots have rights to the resources around the area and rejecting the Greek Cypriot Administration’s unilateral drilling activity in the Eastern Mediterranean. We shall never regret to take steps in order to protect the rights and interests of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side. We want a permanent solution and peace. Turkey has shown this to the whole world from the beginning not only with her statements but with her steps as well. We shall do whatever is necessary for the solution in the following process as well.”