Transcript: Cyprus's Foreign Minister
By Jay Solomon
The Wall Street Journal: Could you please tell me the current state of play regarding Turkey's military activities inside Cypriot waters?
Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis: Turkish military activity in and around Cyprus has been a constant phenomenon since Turkey invaded the island in 1974 and occupied its northern third. However, you are referring to current developments within the Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus, and in the air. Turkey has followed its verbal threats by sending a number of naval vessels -- frigates, corvettes, gunboats -- and of course, the Koca Piri Reis, which is described as a "research vessel," and its purpose is to conduct seismic mapping of the sea floor, into the Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus. At the same time, there has been an increase in air activity of the Turkish air force south of Cyprus, and air and naval exercises of the Turkish forces.
The conduct of "research" in the EEZ of any sovereign state, without the explicit permission of that state, is a violation of international law. However, the gravity of the problem stems from the threats that are being voiced, nearly daily, by the Turkish leadership, because Cyprus has sought to exercise what is its sovereign right, and in full compliance with international law and norms. It is these threats that make the Turkish naval presence south of Cyprus unacceptable in our view.
WSJ: Are Turkey's actions impacting Cyprus's and Noble Energy's efforts to develop the gas deposits in Block 12? Have there been direct threats?
Mr. Kozakou-Marcoullis: They are having no immediate impact on our efforts. Both the Government of Cyprus and Noble Energy have steadfastly declared that we are committed to the task and intend to pursue it to its end in a responsible manner and in line with international law.
If by direct threats you mean actual intrusion into the area where the Noble Energy platform is conducting exploratory drilling in Block 12, there have not been any. So far, the Turkish navy and air force have kept a relatively safe distance. However, the combative rhetoric of the Turkish leadership and the presence of the Turkish naval forces nearby are clearly geared at raising tensions. We are keen to keep the tones low.
WSJ: What support is Cyprus seeking from the U.S. and European Union in response to Turkey's aggression? Do you think enough has been done by the Obama administration?
Mr. Kozakou-Marcoullis: We have already been given the necessary support, in the form of statements of position, by both the United States and our partner states in the European Union, as well as by the EU Commission, as a response to the Turkish threats and allegations that we have no sovereign right to conduct exploratory drilling in our EEZ.
The U.S. has been unequivocal on this issue. I think it is a matter of principle for the U.S., just as much as it is for the EU. After all, when one state can challenge the sovereign rights of another, going directly against international law, this can create a domino effect of lawlessness, and responsible sovereign states are eager to avoid the creation of dangerous precedents that could lead to instability and chaos.
It is very important that the UN Security Council has unanimously backed the right of the Republic of Cyprus to conduct the drilling in our EEZ.
What we would like to see, at this stage, is an even more firm message to Ankara, to cease its illegal activities in the EEZ of Cyprus, and change its tune -- becoming a genuine contributor to peace and stability on the island and in the region. We expect Turkey to behave in line with international law, and believe that its Prime Minister should cease pontificating about the disregard by others, of UN Security Council Resolutions, and focus on rectifying the decades of Turkish policies in Cyprus, which run against explicit Security Council Resolutions.
WSJ: Can you describe the actions Cyprus has taken to formally protest Turkey's actions? I was told you've filed a formal complaint with the International Civil Aviation Organization in Montreal.
Mr. Kozakou-Marcoullis: We have lodged several protests against Turkey's actions and threats in all major international fora and have held discussions with our friends and allies on the matter. Our protests to the UN Secretary General, the UN Security Council and ICAO are constant and they refer to the many and almost daily air and sea violations of our sovereign rights, as a result of the Turkish military exercises and other military maneuvers around the island during the last few weeks. We have also protested to the UN regarding a so-called agreement signed last month between Turkey and the secessionist entity in the occupied part of Cyprus, regarding the delineation of the continental shelf between Turkey and the pseudo-state. As a result of this "agreement" Turkey is now proceeding with seismic research in the northwestern part of the EEZ of Cyprus with the declared intention to start exploratory research and exploitation activities in the near future. You can appreciate that all these are illegal actions contrary to the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea and the UN Charter and they have been protested to the UN appropriate bodies.
WSJ: Is Cyprus seeking some formal red lines to be established concerning Turkey's activities near Cyprus's waters? How can the U.S. play a role in establishing these red lines?
Mr. Kozakou-Marcoullis: I am not sure what you mean by formal red lines. As far as we are concerned Turkey has crossed the red line a long time ago. I mean, when Turkey, a candidate for membership of the European Union, refuses to acknowledge that the Union comprises 27-member states, recognizing all other members except Cyprus, yes that is a red line crossed. When Turkey, contrary to Security Council Resolutions, continues to maintain an illegal military presence on the island and to support and advance a secessionist entity in the part of Cyprus it occupies, then that is a red line. When Turkey refuses to acknowledge that Cyprus has an Exclusive Economic Zone, that is a red line.
In short, as far as we are concerned, it is not a matter of red lines. It is a matter of a clear and strong message to Turkey to get serious and seek a workable, a viable, a just resolution of the division in Cyprus, and acknowledge that the Republic of Cyprus is a sovereign state with sovereign rights, with which it must work and cooperate peacefully because we are neighbors and are destined to live next to each other.
WSJ: How does Cyprus view Turkey's wider role in the Middle East right now? Does Cyprus think Ankara has played a positive role in response to the Arab Spring?
Mr. Kozakou-Marcoullis: It is hard to say whether Ankara's role has been a positive or a negative one. What is certain is that the rhetoric of its leadership is not one of statesmanship but one of brinksmanship. It is a rhetoric in which it seeks to touch the bare sensitivities of oppressed Arab masses in very simplistic rights and wrongs. I can tell you that this behavior, along with the open hostility that the Turkish leadership has exhibited toward Israel, has many of our partners in the west deeply concerned.
We hope that the Arab Spring will yield only good, but we are also realistic and know that the problems against which the people have risen are real and require sacrifice and wisdom to overcome. The polemics of Mr. Erdogan are not conducive to the moderation necessary for the Arab Spring to blossom into modern, stable democracies.
WSJ: How does Cyprus view the broader international effort to develop the gas deposits found in the Mediterranean? How can an equitable development of these resources be best achieved?
Mr. Kozakou-Marcoullis: Well, we are all aware of the dire need for energy resources and new technologies have made it possible to search and explore deeper into the seabed. Our view on ways by which the development of energy resources in the Mediterranean should occur is a fairly conventional one, I would say: we stick to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) of 1982, signed and ratified by the majority of UN members. Indeed, we have followed UNCLOS in delineating our Exclusive Economic Zone, entered into agreements with Egypt (2003), Lebanon (2007) and Israel (2010), and are now in the process of applying these agreements and exploring for natural gas.
We have been methodical and very keen to follow international rules and norms, and we expect and hope that all other Mediterranean countries will do the same.
WSJ: How does Cyprus view its relationship with Israel? It sounds like Cyprus and Israel have moved significantly closer in recent years.
Mr. Kozakou-Marcoullis: It is true that Cyprus and Israel have moved closer in recent years, and I think it is a natural development. We should probably start from the fact that since 2004 Cyprus joined the EU, which is Israel's largest trading partner, and by being the most proximate EU territory to Israel, this naturally attracts a great number of Israelis wishing to do business.
Secondly, we are a very popular destination for Israeli tourists, and this has been the case since the 1960s.
For many of our people, Israel has been a life-saving destination, as many patients travel to Israel for advanced, sometimes revolutionary medical treatment. All in all, I think that the relationship, which began on a very human level some decades ago, has now matured into a full appreciation of each other.
But there are also other elements. It is clear that for many Israelis, Cyprus is perceived to be the friendliest neighboring country, a European country, and perhaps even a safe haven - metaphorically or otherwise. Clearly, many Israelis, and Cypriots are eagerly looking forward to the shared exploitation of the natural wealth in our seas.
So, all in all this is a natural development. But we have also agreed, and I think this was done some time ago, to disagree on certain issues. Our stance on the rights of the Palestinians has been unfaltering, and I think Cyprus is well respected in Israel for the way in which we have expressed our views on the matter. It is, after all, the sign of a healthy relationship among neighbors, when there is respect and dialogue, even if we do not agree on everything.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... 87422.html?
Note: The WSJ seems to be under the impression that our esteemed FM is a man!
