Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan has accused the Greek Cyprus of not wanting to share natural gas with the Turkish Cypriots in the north of the divided island.
‘’They want to deprive northern Cyprus of them [their rights]. In international law there is no such thing. Any rights that exist will be taken at a percentage of the population. Whatever are the rights of southern Cyprus, those it will take. But countries that have no place are trying to have a say in these seas. The problem is here,” Erdoğan told Reuters.
Turkey is at odds with Cyprus over drilling for offshore gas, claiming some of what Nicosia sees as its exclusive economic zone and demanding Turkish Cypriots in the breakaway north of the island get a share of the revenue from any deposits.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, Since then, the internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus has controlled the southern two-thirds of the island, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, only recognised by Turkey, the northern third.
“From then [Cyprus talks in Burgenstock] until now the approach is unjust. The approach does not recognize the rights and law and threatens peace in the world,” the Turkish president told Reuters, referring to the 2004 Cyprus peace talks with then UN secretary-general Kofi Anan.
Following the rejection of the Annan Plan by the Greek Cypriots in 2004, the EU inducted Cyprus and left the north out, Erdoğan said.
Speaking on his country’s drilling efforts in the region, Erdoğan said there were areas around Cyprus where Turkey is researching and there are areas to the south where ‘south Cyprus’ is researching.
Whatever is produced from this research or taken out of the sea must be shared, Erdoğan said, citing international law.
Speaking on a chance for cooperation, the Turkish president said anything can happen, noting that Turkey could send a third drillship to the region.
Turkey has sent two drillships to seas after Cyprus after the EU member began its own exploration.
Nicosia responded by seeking the support of other EU countries against what it terms illegal Turkish activities, leading the EU to impose sanctions.
