Claiming that the main reason of the conflict experienced in the Eastern Mediterranean was the Greek Cypriot side's desire to claim the natural gas and oil reserves alone by considering everything in its scope of authority, Akinci alleged that the Greek Cypriot side which claimed the Republic of Cyprus alone by excluding the Turkish Cypriots now tried to claim the natural resources in the Eastern Mediterranean alone by extending its sovereignty zone.

Noting that the Greek Cypriot side should leave the non-solution policy and contribute to a just and permanent solution in order to remove current tensions, Akinci added what's needed was to turn this region from a tension area to a cooperation area.

Akinci alleged that even if the Greek Cypriot side was not ready for a solution today, then it should find a way for agreeing with the Turkish Cypriots on the natural gas issue through interim formulas. "Otherwise, just as they see themselves authorized and conducting researches in these areas the Turkish Cypriots will also hold the same activities in cooperation with Turkey. We will of course start these research activities in cooperation with Turkey and with the new drill ship of Turkey because this richness is a common richness. It does not only belong to the Greek Cypriots." Ak?nc? said.

He also reminded that the Turkish Cypriot side had continuously warned the Greek Cypriot side throughout the negotiations process and proposed the establishment of a common committee on this issue.

Reminding that they proposed to search for the natural richness together and to turn the region to a cooperation area than a tension area, Akinci argued: "However, the Greek Cypriot side in response said that the issue is not related with the negotiations, it is within their scope of authority and therefore they would not discuss this with the Turkish Cypriots."

Claiming that the Greek Cypriot side by taking the advantage of the tensed relations between Turkey and some other countries in the region tried to benefit from this with Greece, Akinci argued that another aim was to expose Turkey with big powers adding that this was obvious from the companies selected.

Noting that the EU was providing financial support to the Greek Cypriot side, Akinci said: "East-Med natural gas pipeline project is being discussed. East-Med is a project which aims to transfer the natural gas to be found in Eastern Mediterranean to Europe via Greece by bypassing Turkey. EU has allocated millions of Euros for the feasibility of this project."

"Instead, a project which would create an opportunity for the establishment of cooperation bridges between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots, regional countries, between Cyprus and Turkey in the future and Turkey and Greece would be at stake" Akinci argued.

"A route via Turkey is the shortest, more practical, faster and cheaper. However, unfortunately the Greek Cypriots did not prefer the path of mind and path of cooperation and went into the effort of creating tension scenarios", he claimed.

[02] Ozersay: "The Turkish Cypriots will not allow the Greek Cypriot side to continue exploring unilaterally natural gas"

"They cannot continue before the Cyprus issue is settled, or, if it would not be possible, without reaching an understanding with the Turkish Cypriot side," said Kudret Ozersay in a written statement on Jan. 19.

Ozersay claimed: "If the unilateral activities being undertaken by the Greek-side do not turn into conflict, it would be on account of the 'cold-blooded approach' of Turkey and Turkish Cyprus [the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus]".

Ozersay further claimed that "it was 'unfair and unacceptable' for the Greek Cypriot administration to take advantage of the status quo arising from the very problems that cannot be solved due to its own reluctance".

"Unfortunately, Greek Cyprus' membership to the EU occurred in the same manner. We are intent on not allowing a similar development to take place on the issue of natural gas," he argued and added that the Turkish Cypriots have equal rights regarding natural resources.

"On one hand, they [the Greek side] recognize that we also own this richness, but on the other hand, they want to try to continue along this path by disregarding us. This is neither in line with international law nor the notion of justice. If you acknowledge the existence of someone's rights, you have to act accordingly," he alleged.

"For one, these resources belong to us as well. So, before you take any action regarding these resources, you have to win the consent of the Turkish community and address their concerns," Ozersay argued.

[03] Nami: "The Turkish Cypriots have rights in all parcels of Cypriot EEZ"

In statements to Anatolia news agency (20.02.18, http://aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/kktc-ekonomi-ve-enerji-bakani-nami-parsellerin-tamaminda-kibris-turk-halkinin-hakki-var/1068223), Nami claimed that the Turkish Cypriots have as many rights over the island's natural resources as the Greek Cypriots and argued that these resources should be exploited in a manner that will bring benefit to both sides. He alleged that the Greek Cypriot side ignores the Turkish side's calls in this direction and that the Greek Cypriots think that they have the right to "take unilateral steps by hiding behind the curtain of being recognized". Claiming that the Greek Cypriots have signed agreements with international companies on the basis of their own interests and without consulting and cooperating with the "TRNC", Nami alleged:

"The Turkish Cypriot people have also rights in the whole of the parcels. It is not important whether the parcels are located in the south of the island, in the north, in the east or in the west. The Turkish Cypriot people have rights and interests in all of them. In some of these parcels activities are held within the framework of agreements made between the TRNC and Turkey as regards these parcels. In some others activities are held within the framework of agreements signed by the Greek Cypriot side with international companies. What we are saying to the Greek Cypriot side is 'come and let us act in cooperation', but the Greek Cypriot side is taking unilateral steps in parcel 3 or in all the other parcels without opening any door of cooperation with us. This is what we are reacting about. Another separate feature of parcel 3 is that it is located right in the bottom of the area which is within the framework of the agreements signed by the TRNC with Turkish Petroleum Corporation. It corresponds to an area of five miles. When we look at the essence of the issue, it does not make any difference whether they are close or far away. The Turkish Cypriot people have rights in all of them and we protect them".

Noting that some initiatives for the decrease of the existing tension are being carried out, Nami alleged that the Turkish side will continue "defending its rights and interests on the basis of international law and in a manner which will not cause tension". He also claimed that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side never caused any tension and that they always reacted to steps taken by the Greek Cypriots after "giving a reasonable period of time". "However, our patience does not mean that we will remain unreactive forever", he added.

Furthermore, Nami expressed the view that the events show how important the solution of the Cyprus problem is and reiterated the allegation that President Anastasiades rejected the "hand of friendship" supposedly extended by the Turkish Cypriots during the Cyprus Conference last July in Switzerland and abandoned the negotiating table. He claimed that for this reason President Anastasiades should act in a more responsible manner. Nami made a call on President Anastasiades to avoid steps which cause the reaction of the Turkish side.

Referring to the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, Nami alleged that the same methods used in the past cannot be implemented again and argued that a new methodology and approach is needed. He claimed that open-ended processes cannot bring a comprehensive solution and that the sides should agree on a timetable in order for the negotiations to resume in a meaningful manner. He further alleged that this might not be enough and added that it should be clarified what the position of the Turkish Cypriot side will be "in the world's eyes" in case of a Greek Cypriot "no" in the end of the negotiations.

Referring to the economy of the breakaway regime, Nami argued that electricity should be transferred from Turkey and the networks of Turkey and the occupied area should become interconnected. Noting that the necessary political will should be shown for the commencement of this project, Nami argued that when this is completed they will be able to supply electricity to the Greek Cypriot side as well and claimed that these efforts will contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Akinci and Ozersay discussed the Cyprus problem and the crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean