In the aftermath of the failure of the Cyprus Conference in Crans-Montana in July 2017, which failed due to the ongoing intransigence of the Greek Cypriot side and which constituted the end of the negotiation process, the Greek Cypriot side has engaged in activities which have escalated tensions in the region in general and on the Island in particular despite the Turkish Cypriot side’s calls for establishing good neighbourly relations. We regard these as extremely dangerous steps.
Firstly, it is totally unacceptable that the Greek Cypriot administration, in total disregard of the inherent rights of the Turkish Cypriots – one of the equal co-owners of the Island – has signed an agreement with Greece and Jordan in the areas of health, education and agriculture and, in particular, in the area of energy.
The trilateral summit – which took place today as part of the Greek Cypriot leader’s search for alliances in an attempt to strengthen his position on the eve of the leadership elections – carries great risks not only for our Island but also for the region. The Greek Cypriot side has, once again, demonstrated that it has no intention whatsoever of engaging in dialogue or consultation with the Turkish Cypriot side on matters that are of vital importance for the Turkish Cypriots. The Greek Cypriot administration, in total disregard of even the very existence of the Turkish Cypriots, is due to sign a maritime jurisdiction area delimitation (exclusive economic zone) agreement with Greece. In this connection, we would like to reiterate that we reject such an approach and that any decisions taken as a result of the aforementioned agreement will in no way be binding on the Turkish Cypriots and will be considered null and void. We would also like to take this opportunity to remind that the maritime jurisdiction areas surrounding Cyprus cannot simply be delimitated solely in favour of the Greek Cypriot side since they are not the sole owners of the Island.
Furthermore, in the joint declaration adopted at the Summit of Southern European Union Countries (Med7) which was held in Rome on 10 January, the section concerning Cyprus included the Greek Cypriot leader’s intransigent and delusional approach of ‘‘zero troops-zero guarantees’’, which represents the most recent example of the Greek Cypriot leader’s efforts to seek validation in the international arena for his positions which are utterly unacceptable at the negotiation table. The said position of the Greek Cypriot side has not at any period of time had any validity, including during the Crans-Montana process and thus, remains null and void for the Turkish Cypriots today. We hereby reiterate that the active and effective guarantee of Motherland Turkey is indispensable for the Turkish Cypriot people.
Whether with regard to the past Cyprus negotiation processes or possible areas of bilateral cooperation, the Greek Cypriot side’s intransigent and maximalist mentality makes the formation of a new partnership with the Turkish Cypriot side based on equality impossible. Despite the intensive and sincere efforts of the Turkish Cypriot side, the Cyprus Conference in July has failed due to this very mentality of the Greek Cypriot side.
In addition to the above, it is contradictory that while the Greek Cypriot side, on the one hand, announced that it was willing to resume the negotiations, while on the other hand issued a circular to adopt the decision to introduce the commemoration in Greek Cypriot schools of the plebiscite on Enosis. The Greek Cypriot side’s decision to introduce the commemoration of the plebiscite on Enosis reveals the real intensions of the Greek Cypriot side and further perpetuates the lack of trust between the two sides on the Island, blatantly showing their unwillingness to enter into a partnership agreement with the Turkish Cypriot side.
In light of the above, it is obvious that our counterpart has no intention of negotiating to ensure peace and stability on the Island and abstains from respecting regional stability. We would, therefore, like to reiterate once again that none of the Greek Cypriot side’s unilateral steps will be considered credible and that we will, in close consultation with Turkey, not refrain from taking reciprocal steps.
16 January 2018,
Lefkoşa.