No reunification talks if with Turkey blockade - Greek Cyprus president

Greek Cyprus President, Nikos Anastasiades has said Turkey’s actions in the Mediterranean were impeding reunification talks for the island. 

According to Anastasiades, fresh negotiations were unlikely any time soon because Turkey is blocking the search for offshore gas and Turkish Cypriots were making unacceptable demands.

Unfortunately Turkey, and our Turkish Cypriot compatriots, appear to be not only unwilling (to re-engage in talks), but with additional violations of international law and unacceptable demands render the resumption of talks impossible, at least at the present time, Anastasiades told the country’s parliament on Wednesday.

Demands by Turkish Cyprus for sovereignty over the gas areas serve Turkey’s interests, not their own, he said.

Turkish warships prevented a drillship from reaching an area of the Mediterranean southeast of Cyprus earlier in February. Italian company Eni was scheduled to drill there.

Anastasiades said last week that Cyprus would press on with its search for gas despite Turkish opposition.

The Greek Cyprus government has said any wealth generated by gas search in the Mediterranean would be shared equitably with all Cypriot citizens after the island is reunified, with proceeds from sales to be deposited in a sovereign wealth fund.