21/10/2020 16:04
Cyprus, Greece and Egypt condemned on Wednesday the Turkish illegal drillings and seismic research in maritime areas which have already been delimitated according to the International Law of the Sea, as well as the illegal activities in Famagusta, calling on Turkey to respect the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, as Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades, said in statements following the 8th Cyprus, Greece, Egypt Trilateral Summit that took place in Nicosia.
In his statements with the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the President of Egypt Abdel Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and referring to the Cyprus problem, Anastasiades said that he sent on October 19 a letter to the UN Secretary-General by which he reiterated his readiness and determination to participate in a new on his part initiative the soonest possible, on the basis of the co-understanding achieved during the meeting that took place at the UNSG’s initiative last November in Berlin.
President Anastasiades said that Cyprus, Greece and Egypt condemned in the strongest terms the illegal activities in Famagusta, calling at the same time on Turkey to respect the relevant Security Council resolutions 550 and 789 with a view to protect the status of the fenced- off area that will be an important element in the solution of the Cyprus problem.
Moreover he noted that the three countries condemned in the strongest terms the illegal drillings and the seismic research of Turkey in maritime areas that have been delimitated according to the International Law of the Sea, among others, between the Republic of Cyprus and Egypt, as well as the attempt to carry out illegal seismic research in the Hellenic Republic continental shelf and the ongoing violations of the Greek airspace and the territorial waters in the Aegean.
Furthermore they condemned in the strongest terms the signing of the legally null and void memoranda of cooperation for the delimitation of zones of maritime jurisdiction in the Mediterranean, for the security and for military cooperation between Turkey and Fayez al-Sarraj, the President said.
On his part, Prime Minister Mitsotakis referred to the unilateral provocations of Turkey which as he noted, are accompanied by an extremely offensive rhetoric.
"We agreed that this behaviour blatantly violates the international law, questions binding international treaties, and at the same time undermines regional security for which the three countries work hard,” he added.
Mitsotakis noted tat the Turkish offensive behaviour against the Republic of Cyprus not only continues with the dispatch of vessels within its EEZ, but is also escalated through inflammatory initiatives as the one concerning the coastal front of the fenced-off city of Famagusta, opening another wound in the occupied area of the island, ignoring UN resolutions on this issue and putting obstacles in the way for a just settlement of the Cyprus problem
On his part, speaking through an interpreter, President Sisi said that there was a reaffirmation of the efforts made by the Republic of Cyprus, looking forward to achieving a stable and permanent Cyprus settlement, on the basis of the Security Council resolutions, with a view to achieve the island’s reunification.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The latest UN backed round of talks took place in the Swiss resort of Crans Montana but failed to yield any results.
Ankara sent on several occasions its seismic research vessel ‘Barbaros’ to Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), following the Republic of Cyprus’ decision, in 2011, to start exploratory offshore drilling. After May 2019, Turkey caused a stir by sending consecutively two drill ships, “Fatih” and “Yavuz”, 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.
Varosha, the fenced off section of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta, is often described as a ‘ghost town’. UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984) considers any attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN. UN Security Council resolution 789 (1992) also urges that with a view to the implementation of resolution 550 (1984), the area at present under the control of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus be extended to include Varosha.
Efforts over the years for the legitimate citizens of Famagusta to return to the city have met with the refusal of the Turkish side, despite numerous decisions and resolutions by the UN, EU and other international institutions.