Greek Cyprus warns Turkey to stop ‘bullying’ over gas

Greek Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has said reunification talks can restart if Turkey respects the ethnically divided island’s “sovereign right to exploit” its offshore gas reserves.

Anastasiades said Dec. 31, 2014 that Turkey must stop trying to impose its will on its tiny neighbor, as reported by The Associated Press Jan. 1.

The Mediterranean island has been divided since Turkish troops intervened in 1974 in response to a Greek Cypriot coup seeking union with Greece.

Turkey does not recognize Cyprus as a state and opposes an offshore energy search by the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot government, saying that it ignores the rights of Turkish Cypriots.

Anastasiades suspended reunification talks in October after Turkey announced plans to search for gas in waters where the Cypriot government has licensed other companies to drill.

The Greek Cypriot government says all will share in any gas wealth after reunification.

In the meantime, the president of the Turkish Cyprus on Dec. 31 called on the Greek Cypriot administration to return to the negotiating table without preconditions, according to Anadolu Agency.

“We cannot give up our rights so that the Greek Cypriots can return to the talks,” said Derviş Eroğlu in a statement, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side has continued to stay at the table.

Turkish Cypriots want a speedy solution and an end to injustices, stated Eroğlu, saying the Turkish Cypriot side was positive and wanted “a result-oriented” understanding in peace talks.

Eroğlu said the Turkish Cypriot government was in harmony with Turkey over the policies to be discussed during the Cyprus peace process.

He said the solution to the issue...