We have been informed that TRNC President Mr. Mustafa Akıncı has submitted today through UN, a new cooperation proposal of the Turkish Cypriot side to the Greek Cypriots concerning the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon resources around the island of Cyprus. We welcome and fully support this cooperation proposal.

The proposal aims at creating a cooperation mechanism between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots, as the co-owners of the Island on hydrocarbon resources over which they have equal rights. As such, the proposal envisages cooperation including revenue sharing and enables two sides to benefit from hydrocarbon resources simultaneously.

If accepted, this proposal will create a new cooperation era between the two sides, strengthen the regional peace, stability and cooperation and also create a conducive atmosphere for the settlement of Cyprus question.

In this respect, we call upon all parties, including the UN and the EU, and in particular the Guarantor States to seize this opportunity and support this proposal, as well as to encourage both sides on the island to cooperate with each other on hydrocarbon resources.

We reiterate our firm resolve in protecting the equal rights of the Turkish Cypriots over the off-shore resources of the Island in addition to our country’s own continental shelf rights in the Eastern Mediterranean. In this respect, we wish to draw the attention of the international community that we will maintain our determined and principled stance in protecting the equal rights of the Turkish Cypriots, until these rights are guaranteed.