EN - #Turkish actions creating #tensions in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus (debate) - #AFET Committee Rapporteur Kati Piri (S&D, NL) 12.11: Mr President, eight months ago this House welcomed the positive developments coming out of Cyprus. The Joint Declaration by the leaders of the Greek and Turkish communities of Cyprus marked the relaunch of talks on the reunification of the island which would bring all unresolved issues to the table to reach a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement. Today, a Turkish maritime survey vessel is within Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone and the reunification talks have been suspended. We risk losing completely the momentum of eight months ago and this would have detrimental consequences, not just for the people living on the island, but it would also negatively affect the entire region. What the Eastern Mediterranean needs most right now is a beacon of hope. All parties should act with awareness of this responsibility. Turkey must respect Cyprus’s sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone. The legality of the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus cannot be questioned. But it is also important to underline that the conditionality can be put on the right of both communities on the island to benefit from possible gas exploitation. The leaders of both communities have to return to the negotiation table for a comprehensive settlement to the problem. In this regard the UN Secretary-General’s Adviser for Cyprus, Mr Eide, must be fully supported in his efforts. In the Joint Declaration eight months ago, the leaders of the two communities committed themselves to avoiding blame games. The people of Cyprus and the region now need them to honour this commitment. Johannes Hahn, Member of the Commission in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations: Mr President, honourable Members, I should like to thank you for inviting me to join this discussion today and to thank Members for the valuable points they have made. It is absolutely right to have taken this opportunity to express our concerns about recent events, to make very clear our position on the rights of Member States, and to stress Turkey’s obligations in crystal clear terms. We will convey this message strongly and engage our Turkish counterparts towards a solution. This debate makes it very clear as well that we need to find ways forward. The Eastern Mediterranean is in a fragile geopolitical situation. It is in the strong interest of all of us that tensions are decreased quickly and we need more than ever to achieve progress on a Cyprus settlement. Earlier this year, the EU gave its strong support to the restarting of Cyprus negotiations. We have made clear our readiness to help. It is time to deliver; it is time to stand firmly behind the United Nations Envoy, Espen Barth Eide. It is time to help the leaders of both Cypriot communities find a way back to the negotiation table, and I think it is high time to find an adequate answer and to give support to both communities. © Frédérick Moulin 2014 - EU2014 - All rights reserved.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 18:45:34 +0000