Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides has called on the Turkish government — bypassing the Turkish Cypriot side — to engage in direct talks with the Republic of Cyprus to agree on maritime boundaries.
He made the remarks on Thursday when asked by reporters to comment on reactions from Turkey and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman following the signing of an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) delimitation agreement between Cyprus and Lebanon on Wednesday.
Christodoulides underlined that the Republic of Cyprus, as a member of the United Nations and the European Union, continues to conclude agreements with neighbouring countries based on international law, good-neighbourly relations, and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
He said his response to the position expressed by Ankara is to reiterate the readiness of the Republic of Cyprus “to sit at the same table with Turkey to agree on maritime borders, on the basis of the Law of the Sea.”
“If the Turkish side is so confident in its positions, it can sit with the Republic of Cyprus to discuss and determine the maritime boundaries, as we have done with neighbouring states and will continue to do,” he added.
When asked about the messages conveyed by Erhürman in light of renewed efforts to relaunch peace talks, Christodoulides said he would not comment on the Turkish Cypriot leader’s approach, noting that it would not influence the Republic’s planning.
He reiterated the Greek Cypriot side’s readiness “even tomorrow” to resume negotiations from where they ended in Crans-Montana, with the aim of reaching a viable and functional settlement.
Christodoulides said he had informed the Turkish Cypriot leader that the Greek Cypriot side remains prepared to resume dialogue even during Cyprus’ upcoming EU Presidency, which begins on 1 January, and that it will do so based on the body of work already produced in previous rounds and within the agreed framework.
“Our message to Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leader is that if there is political will — which we have — we are ready and fully prepared. Yes, we can reach a solution to the Cyprus problem in a short time on the basis of the agreed framework,” he said.
(Source: CNA)
