PRESIDENT TALAT: “IT IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR AN ILLEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT TO SIGN AGREEMENTS WITH NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES FOR THE EXPLORATION OF OIL DEPOSITS OF THE COAST OF CYPRUS”

            President Mehmet Ali Talat, who is currently in Istanbul upon the invitation of ‘Marmara Group Foundation’, in a meeting with various newspapers’ editors held at Swissotel said: “There is no legitimate government in South Cyprus, therefore it is unacceptable for an illegitimate government to negotiate the issue of petrol and sign agreements on this issue.”

            President Talat pointed out that the Greek Cypriot administration had initiated a unilateral procedure to explore and sign deals with neighboring countries for the exploration of possible oil reserves off the coast of Cyprus.

            President Talat stated that as a result of the Greek Cypriot administration’s attempts to unilaterally claim to be the owner of the island’s wealth, which should be jointly shared with the Turkish Cypriots, a conflict situation arouse in the island and added that the Mediterranean was a semi-closed sea, almost like a lake.

            Continuing, the President said:

“All the countries having coast to the Mediterranean, especially the close ones, are at the position to take part in the agreements and discussions on the exclusive economic zone. Therefore, these issues should be taken up through negotiations as previously put forward by Turkey. Taking up these issues jointly is the right approach. Moreover, the Greek Cypriot administration does not represent the whole of Cyprus”.

            Reminding that the Greek Cypriots in their statements were alleging that their country was perfect, Talat said: “It is unacceptable for the Greek Cypriot administration to sign agreements, without the presence of the Turkish Cypriots. We have rejected this and it is out of question for us to ever accept this.”

            President Talat referring to the allegations that two Turkish warships were approaching the island, said: “Chief of General Staff has denied this, therefore this allegation is baseless.”

“We, as the TRNC will not give up our rights to benefit from the natural resources and wealth of Cyprus Island, just like we have not given up on Cyprus. In Cyprus, we are equal to the Greek Cypriots and will continue to protect and preserve this equality.”

            Meanwhile, President Talat speaking on Turkish NTV Television Channel stated that the Turkish Cypriot side would give a legal struggle regarding Greek Cypriot administration’s initiative on petrol reserves. “Because, the Turkish Cypriots have the right to benefit from these resources and it is written in the Constitution of Cyprus Republic”, added President Talat.

            Talat reminded that this was required by the Cyprus Republic’s Constitution, which the Greek Cypriot administration was alleging that “it functions in line with. He added that therefore the Turkish Cypriot side would give a legal struggle on this issue.

            Responding to a question regarding the direct trade and ending of the isolation, Talat drew attention to the fact that the Greek Cypriot side would do its utmost to prevent the implementation of these issues and added that it would not be possible to materialize the Direct Trade Regulation.