If the Greek Cypriot side starts hydrocarbon drillings, the Turkish Cypriot side will also do so - TRNC FM

If the Greek Cypriot side starts hydrocarbon drillings in the Mediterranean, the Turkish Cypriot side will also do so, said north Cyprus, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay.

Kudret Özersay made the remarks during his visit to state broadcaster, BRTK.

Özersay who pointed out that the Cyprus issue was going through a breaking point, said that the hydrocarbon issue will also be among the issues to be taken up in Ankara.

He noted that the Greek Cypriot side by ignoring the will of the Turkish Cypriot side had been taken unilateral steps in the Eastern Mediterranean in the recent years.

What the Turkish Cypriot side says with Turkey today is that the Turkish Cypriot people has a right on these resources also. It’s a sine qua non for the Turkish Cypriots to have a say in the decision making mechanism, he said.

Stating that if the Greek Cypriot side starts hydrocarbon drillings then the Turkish Cypriot side will also do so, he said this should be clarified and materialized.

Pointing out that some new developments was being experienced in the Eastern Mediterranean, he said “we are passing through a time when the strategic importance of Cyprus is increasing.”