Excellency,
Recent developments regarding oil and gas exploration around Cyprus has fueled tensions between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides. This unilateral step by the Greek Cypriot Leadership has significantly damaged the already fragile status of the inter-communal talks which were expected to take a decisive final turn in late October at the summit to be held between the Leaders of both communities and the UNSG Ban Ki Moon.
We as the Republican Turkish Party and United Forces believe it is high time international community and in particular the Permanent Members of the UN Security Council assume their responsibilities and secure the favorable outcome of the inter-communal talks held under the auspices of the Good Offices Mission of the UN Secretary General.
It is clear that with the discovery of possible oil and gas fields off the shores of Cyprus the Leaderships on both sides of the island are now on an inevitable path for conflict. The only way out from this seemingly irreversible path is for UN Security Council to ask for ceasing of drilling prior to a comprehensive solution and invite both parties to agree to a calendar to solve the Cyprus problem at the end of which the remaining issues would be left to UN arbitration. It must be made clear to both sides of the island that any potential royalties ensuing from exploitation of natural resources in and around Cyprus must benefit both sides and therefore can only be released to a Federal Government that must be established as called by UN Security Council Resolutions as well as the Joint Statements of the two leaders dated 23 May and 1 July 2008.
Such a step would be consistent with the agreement already reached at the negotiations which stipulates that the natural resources of Cyprus will be a Federal competence. The latest Joint Communiqué of the Turkish and Greek Cypriot political parties issued on 21 September 2011 at the Ledra Palace Hotel in Nicosia also underscores that the natural resources belong to all Cypriots, that these should be used to resolve the Cyprus issue and that the rights and interests of both Cypriot sides should be respected.
We believe a decision by the UNSC to reserve the proceeds from natural resources around Cyprus to the Federal Government to be established, coupled with a calendar and acceptance of UN arbitration on remaining unresolved issues will create the right incentives for both sides to focus on comprehensive solution and secure two “Yes” votes from the referenda.
Your Excellency,
Without the settlement of the Cyprus problem, which clearly requires more involvement in the current negotiating process by the UN Security Council, the off shore resources of Cyprus should not be exploited. Therefore, we believe that the Security Council has a major role to play on how the situation unfolds in the near future. We ask you to use all the authority and influence given to you by the Charter of the United Nations organization for the resolution of the Cyprus issue, the talks of which are conducted under the auspices your organization.
Actions solely based on the legalistic claims of either side, losing sight of the ultimate goal of resolving the Cyprus issue, will have catastrophic consequences not only for Cyprus but also for the whole region. We urge you to act in a decisive and timely manner to turn a potential conflict to an opportunity for peace and reconciliation in Cyprus.
Please be assured of my highest consideration,
Özkan Yorgancıoğlu
President
Republican Turkish Party
