Turkey slams EU call for cooperation with Cyprus as ‘far from serious’

·

Turkey has disdainfully rejected a proposal by the European Union’s High Representative Josep Borrell to broker talks between it and the Republic of Cyprus, calling it “far from being serious” and reiterating that it does not recognise the “Greek-Cypriot administration” as representative of the Republic of Cyprus.

Borrell’s proposal called for cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey and welcomed Nicosia’s offer to Ankara to negotiate in good faith the maritime delimitation between their relevant coasts.

In response, Hami Aksoy, spokesman for Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said “the proposal was far from being serious” and was made by the same EU “which always ignores the existence of the Turkish Cypriots and has never referred to their equal rights over the natural resources of the Island in any of its statements.”

Aksoy also reiterated that until the Cyprus issue on hydrocarbon resources is resolved, the interlocutor of the Greek Cypriots is the Turkish Cypriots.

He said that in this context, interlocutor of the Greek Cypriot administration’s Foreign Ministry is not Turkey but Foreign Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Kudret Ozersay.

“If a solution is desired in the Eastern Mediterranean, as a first step, the two peoples of the Island should come together and establish a joint cooperation mechanism for the exploration and exploitation of the hydrocarbon resources, including revenue sharing, as soon as possible,” Aksoy said.

“Turkey itself will never sit down with the Greek Cypriot Administration ever which has usurped the title of Republic of Cyprus and does not represent the Turkish Cypriots.”

He concluded that the limitation of maritime jurisdiction areas in the west of the Cyprus Island is possible only after the Cyprus issue is resolved.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

A heartfelt plea for research: Breast cancer vaccine sits in fridge as women die

Renowned immunologist Professor Vasso Apostolopoulos has revealed a heartbreaking truth about a groundbreaking vaccine.

Semaphore Greek Festival 2025: Celebrate ‘all together’ at SA’s favourite summer event

The Semaphore Greek Festival is back! Mark your calendars for 18-19 January 2025 as we celebrate the theme “Όλοι Μαζί” (It Takes a Village).

Youth shine at the Kytherian November Dinner Dance celebration

On Saturday, the annual November Dinner Dance of the Kytherian Association of Australia (KAA) was held at The Concord.

Teacher Dorothea Papadopoulou recognised for 46-year contribution to Greek language

Dorothea Papadopoulou, a Greek language teacher of 46 years, was recognised at the Annual Dinner of Federation of Community Language Schools.

Community language schools in NSW praised for preserving heritage, shaping the future

A group of senior politicians has acknowledged that Australian society has now changed dramatically, and language was a key driver.

You May Also Like

Food For Thought Network holds picnic in Melbourne to kick off new year

On Saturday 20 January, the Food For Thought Network of Melbourne, Victoria came together for a picnic and cutting of the vasilopita.

‘I owe it to my father and grandfather’: Tassos Lambrou on his passion for the bouzouki

When people hear the name Tassos Lambrou, they instantly connect it to the bouzouki legend himself – Tassos Bouzouki.

Catch up on every part of Eleni Elefterias’ ‘Insight or Perspective’ column

Eleni's weekly column has everything from providing Greek school and teaching advice, to looking at the shifting migrant landscape in Australia.