Cyprus House President Condemns Turlish Aggression

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(Free-Press-Release.com) September 25, 2011 -- Omirou was commenting on Turkish actions in the Eastern Mediterranean, in response to moves by the Republic of Cyprus to proceed with exploratory drilling for natural gas or oil in its EEZ.

`` We condemn and must continue to condemn Turkey for this invasive behavior, the behavior of a bully which dynamites security, stability, peace and cooperation in the region,`` he said addressing the Annual General Assembly of the Cyprus Youth Council in Nicosia.

The House Speaker expressed satisfaction with the international and European responses to threats by Turkey, during the last weeks.

``Both the international community through the United Nation and the European Union through the competent institutions have given a clear and decisive message to Turkey, that it can not continue to behave like a new Ottoman Empire and that finally it has to understand that it ought to comply with the rules of international law, ``he said.

He added that Turkey’s behavior conflicts with the Convention on the Law of the Sea and other rules of international law.

Omirou also said that the illegal agreement signed in response to Cyprus explorations, between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus to delineate what it calls continental shelf, conflicts directly with the UN Convention of 1982 on the Law of the Sea and is void and illegal.

He added that the so-called agreement, conflicts with the resolutions 186 of 1964 of the Security Council, 541 of 1983 and 550 of 1985.

“These resolutions”, he explained, “clearly state that the Cyprus Republic and its lawful government is the only subject of international law, so the illegal state in the occupied territories has no right to appear as a subject of international law and sign any form of international agreements”.

Turkey, whose troops occupy Cyprus’ northern part since they invaded in 1974, is the only country in the world which does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus. Following a decision by Nicosia to begin natural gas and oil exploration in its exclusive economic zone, Ankara has deployed warships in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Drilling has already begun and is being carried out by Houston-based “Noble Energy”, off Cyprus’ south-eastern coast.

The government of Cyprus has protested to the UN and the EU Turkey’s moves, saying it has a sovereign right to exploit its natural resources, pointing out that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will benefit from any benefits that may come from oil drilling.

Cyprus has signed an agreement to delineate the Exclusive Economic Zone with Egypt and Israel with a view to exploit any possible natural gas and oil reserves in its EEZ. A similar agreement has been signed with Lebanon but the Lebanese Parliament has not yet ratified it.

UN-led talks are currently underway between the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus to reach a negotiated settlement that would reunify the island.CNA

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