All EP groups condemn Turkey's stance on Cyprus, House President says

The President of the House of Representatives Yiannakis Omirou has expressed his satisfaction over the fact that all delegations of the Political Groups of the European Parliament which visited Cyprus have condemned Turkey in an absolute and categorical manner for not recognizing the Republic of Cyprus and the Cyprus EU Presidency, due in the second half of 2012.

This is a significant political fact that should not be overlooked Omirou stated, following a meeting here today with a delegation of the EP Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE).

He further said that although the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU does not include the Cyprus problem in its agenda, it provides however a significant opportunity to underline Turkeys negative, anti-European stance.

The EU Presidency should be utilized to display this dimension of Turkeys approach and its European aspirations that are in contrast with its stance vis-a-vis the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state, he said.

Omirou added that Turkey continues to occupy EU territory, while violating at the same time the acquis communautaire and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which is part of it. He added that Ankara also questions Cyprus sovereign rights within the Republics Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and threatens with war.

This side of Turkey should be exposed to our European counterparts, Omirou concluded.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. The two sides have been engaged in peace talks to find a negotiated settlement that will reunite the country, under a federal roof.

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

Ankara has threatened Cyprus when Nicosia launched last September its exploration activities within the Republics EEZ and announced earlier this year a second round of licensing for off-shore hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation activities.

The government of Cyprus has protested to the UN and the EU Turkeys moves, saying it has a sovereign right to exploit its natural resources.

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