Cyprus Talks: New Cyprus talks unlikely - Turkish FM

A new negotiations process in Cyprus doesn't seem possible due to the upcoming elections of the European Parliament, said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.

Speaking during a briefing to the Turkish Grand National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee, the Turkish Foreign Minister expressed the view that a new process in Cyprus aimed at solving the Cyprus Problem seemed unlikely taking into account the fact that EU parliament elections were coming up.

Also touching upon the issue of hydrocarbons, Çavuşoğlu said that Turkey was not against drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.

We too are starting drilling off the coast of Cyprus. The stability of the region is important for us. We are following developments closely but the rights of the TRNC must be guaranteed and protected, he said.

Speaking on Turkey’s EU membership process, the Turkish Foreign Minister said that both sides were working on the matter.

There is an effort by both sides. We are taking steps to strengthen relations, he added.

BRTK