We reject the statement made today (4 May 2019) by Ms. Federica Mogherini,
the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
regarding our hydrocarbon exploration activities in the Eastern
Mediterranean.
Turkey’s hydrocarbon related activities in the Eastern Mediterranean region
are based on its legitimate rights stemming from international law. As we
previously stressed on many occasions, having the longest coastal line in
the region, we will protect our own rights and interests within our
continental shelf, as well as those of the Turkish Cypriots around the
Cyprus Island. To date Turkey has not refrained from taking the necessary
steps in this context, and will not do so in the future.
In fact, it is the Greek Cypriot Administration which has not abstained
from irresponsibly jeopardizing the security and stability of the Eastern
Mediterranean region, by disregarding the inalienable rights of the Turkish
Cypriots, who are the co-owners of the Cyprus Island, on the natural
resources, refusing every proposal of cooperation and insisting on its
unilateral activities in the region despite all our warnings.
It will be a reasonable approach and will prevent further instability in
the region, that all other actors outside the region acknowledge the fact
that Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus cannot be excluded
from the energy equation in the Eastern Mediterranean, and they should stop
providing unconditional support to the Greek Cypriot Administration.
Furthermore, those who have not taken any steps towards the resolution of
this issue for years do not have the right to give advice to us.