CNA
President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, has said that the resumption of the negotiating process for a Cyprus settlement requires the de-escalation of the tension which the Turkish offensive behaviour has on purpose been causing for some time now in the Eastern Mediterranean, disrupting security and stability in the broader region.
Speaking before the Cyprus House of Representatives plenary on Monday afternoon, Sakellaropoulou, who is paying an official visit to Cyprus, noted that a Cyprus settlement can be found only on the basis of the binding for everyone decisions of the UN Security Council, decisions which provide for the evolution of the Republic of Cyprus to a bicommunal, bizonal federation of the two communities, as defined by the Security Council decisions, with a single personality, a single sovereignty and a single citizenship.โ
She noted that the provocative ongoing and extended illegal drilling and seismic research operations of Turkish ships within legally delimitated and legally licensed blocks of the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the efforts to impose new fait accompli in regions of the Greek continental shelf, in combination with the increased concentration of Turkish military forces in the region, constitute part of this Turkish offensive behaviour which is also manifested on the Cypriot territory.
Sakellaropoulou underlined that Greece fully shares the concerns about the hugely dangerous if not detrimental consequences which a possible implementation of Turkeyโs ongoing threats for settling the fenced off city of Famagusta and for the usurpation of the Greek Cypriot properties there would possibly bring to the efforts for the resumption of the negotiations on the Cyprus problem, in direct violation with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
She recalled that since last October and through its recent decision about the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus, the Security Council has reaffirmed its full commitment to these resolutions which, inter alia, provide for the return of the lawful citizens to the region under UN administration. They also render Turkey responsible for any other negative development and warn her not to proceed with the settling of the fenced off city, she added.
Sakellaropoulou stressed that the termination of the Turkish occupation and finding an agreed solution to the Cyprus problem constitute a top concern of the Greek foreign policy.
She noted that the settlement of this international problem of invasion and occupation will decisively contribute to the security and stability of the broader Eastern Mediterranean region.
Moreover she stressed the need to abolish the obsolete system of guarantees and unilateral rights of intervention in Cypriot affairs.
The President of the Hellenic Republic said that her country has already expressed its readiness to respond positively to a new initiative which the UN Secretary General will take and participate in an informal meeting, at the proper time and at the right level and in a constructive climate, to discuss procedural issues for the resumption of the talks.
Sakellaropoulou also expressed Greeceโs interest in the settlement of the issue of missing persons in Cyprus.
On his part, House President Demetris Syllouris said that โalthough we fervently want a settlement of the Cyprus problemโ Turkey which violates through its actions the state sovereignty of Cyprus by sending its ships in the Cypriot maritime zones, eliminates any potential for the resumption of the negotiations and for a settlement.
Moreover he stressed that Sakellaropoulouโs visit underlines once again, in a tangible way, the long-standing united front of Athens and Nicosia and thanked Greece for its long-standing support in every effort and initiative of Cyprus at the international and European level, to highlight and denounce Turkeyโs criminal behaviour against the Republic of Cyprus and its people.
He underlined that Greece and Cyprus are states which respect the international law, the human rights and the principles and values of the European civilization. โWe share the same values for freedom, democracy and peaceful solution of the disputes. This is why we remain steadily committed to the aim of a just, functional and viable solution to the Cyprus problem,โ he added.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. Turkey has ignored numerous UN resolutions calling for the withdrawal of the Turkish troops and respect of the integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus.
Ankara sent on several occasions its seismic research vessel โBarbarosโ to Cyprusโ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), following the Republic of Cyprusโ decision, in 2011, to start exploratory offshore drilling. After May 2019, Turkey caused a stir by sending consecutively two drill ships, โFatihโ and โYavuzโ, to conduct unauthorised drilling activities of hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean, at times in areas licensed by Cyprus to international energy companies.
The European Council reaffirmed its full solidarity with Cyprus, regarding the respect of its sovereignty and sovereign rights in accordance with international law and in February 2020, placed two persons under restrictive measures, in relation to Turkey`s unauthorised drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.
