Illegal claims by Greece, Greek Cypriots behind E Med tensions: Turkey

Maximalist and illegal claims by Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration which overlook the presence of Turkish Cypriots are behind the tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey's Foreign Ministry said late on Oct. 19. 

The ministry was responding to a joint declaration released earlier in the day following a tripartite summit between Greece, the Greek Cypriot administration and Egypt in the Greek capital Athens.

Calling the declaration a new manifestation of hostility by Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration, the ministry said that Egypt's participation in the declaration indicates that the country "has not yet grasped the real address that it can cooperate with in the Eastern Mediterranean."

Reiterating Turkey's determination to protect its own legitimate and legal rights and those of Cypriot Turks in the region, the ministry underlined that Turkey already proved that no initiative in the region can be successful without involving Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

"Turkey supports energy projects that will enhance cooperation among the countries in the region. However, these projects should not ignore the rights and interests of Turkey and Turkish Cypriots, and they should be inclusive," the statement said.

Referring to a statement by the TRNC's Foreign Ministry on the declaration, the ministry stressed that an understanding which neglects the realities on the island cannot contribute to the settlement of the Cyprus issue.

"We remind once again that a new negotiation process will not be possible unless the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people are reaffirmed," the ministry said.

Turkey, which has the longest continental coastline in...