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.

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

Australian Embassy in Athens hosts book launch on Australia’s first Greek female settler

The Australian Embassy in Athens hosted the launch of Η Πρώτη Έποικος (The First Settler) on Wednesday, 1 October 2025.

‘Our People, Their Stories’ celebrates first anniversary at Sydney’s Maritime Museum

'Our People, Their Stories' celebrated its first anniversary at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney on Saturday, 4 October.

Faith and tradition converge at Cappadokia Dance Workshop in Sydney

The Cappadokia Workshop brought faith and tradition together as part of the 3rd Zeibekiko Festival Australia.

Nicholas Stavropoulos appeals Greek rape verdict, remains on bail in Sydney

Businessman Nicholas Stavropoulos is on bail in Sydney after being convicted in Greece of raping a woman during a 2016 holiday on Mykonos.

Police investigate suspicious fire at Torrensville butcher shop Corinthian Meats

Adelaide butcher shop Corinthian Meats has been left badly damaged after a suspicious fire broke out in the early hours of Monday morning.

You May Also Like

2024 Paris Olympics: Greece makes good progress, no medals yet

Having concluded day two of the Paris Olympics, here are some notable updates on Greece's progress in the 2024 Summer Games so far.

David Catsoulis promotes new $477m mining venture amidst past failures

David Catsoulis, a twice-bankrupt mining promoter, is once again pursuing a new venture, despite past failures.

VIDEO: Zakynthos community create giant crocheted Christmas tree

Zakynthos spread Christmas cheer in a community project that involved piecing together a number of crochet squares to make up a large Christmas tree.