As reported from the occupied territories, the same statement claimed that the E/C side is usurping the rights of the TCs and Turkey regarding the natural resources in the sea, adding that the pseudo-state continues with great determination its stance regarding the protection of its "legitimate rights and interests in the eastern Mediterranean."[/QUOTE]
As reported from the occupied territories, the same statement claimed that the E/C side is usurping the rights of the TCs and Turkey regarding the natural resources in the sea, adding that the pseudo-state continues with great determination its stance regarding the protection of its "legitimate rights and interests in the eastern Mediterranean.
It also states that "the Turkish side has at least as many rights as the Greek side in the exploration, extraction and exploitation of natural resources in the eastern Mediterranean".
The statement recalls the 11 September 2011 agreement with Turkey on "the delimitation of the continental shelf" and the loan to TRAO to carry out exploration in designated sea blocks, which has so far carried out seismic surveys over an area of thousands of kilometres and three drilling operations, as noted. "We hope that TPAO will achieve positive results in these studies for us as soon as possible."
The statement added that as long as the G/K side continues its unilateral - as it says - actions, the pseudo-state will resolutely continue its own activities concerning hydrocarbons "because of sovereign equality and equal status."
"However, we always keep the path of diplomacy open. Our proposal to the Greek side in 2019 for cooperation on hydrocarbons is on the table. And we fully support the proposal made by the President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for an inclusive Eastern Mediterranean Conference."
While this is the case, the statement of the "presidency" continues, the Greek side does not take these proposals into account. They condemn, it says, the unilateral actions that cause and escalate tension and usurp the rights of the TCs and Turkey.
In the press, the statement continues, by borrowing research in blocks 10 and 5, the G/C side attempted to violate Turkey's continental shelf with the Nautical Geo ship last weekend, further using the Eastern Mediterranean Pipeline Project as an excuse. This project, it added, support for which was withdrawn by the US and no economic viability study has been done, "is a politically motivated project to exclude both us and Turkey."
The statement concludes by stating that the Greek Cypriot side is urged to abandon actions that increase tension, be reasonable and positively assess the proposal of the Turkish Cypriot side for cooperation on the hydrocarbons issue.
Source: CNA
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