Cyprus-Forum.com

[Simon]

Greece is able to defend Cyprus' sovereignty under the International Law of the Sea and will do so if necessary, said Greek Defence Minister Panagiotis Beglitis in a warning to Turkey not to interfere with the island's offshore oil and gas exploration.

"The heart of our defence doctrine is always the Cyprus Republic," he said.

Greece will also ensure its own sovereign right to explore for hydrocarbons in its territorial waters extending 12 miles out to sea, he said.

Turkey opposes offshore hydrocarbon exploitation by Greece and Cyprus and has recently renewed veiled threats that it will take action over the issue. Experts estimate that there are rich reserves of oil and gas in Cyprus' offshore waters as well as in the disputed territory in the Aegean Sea. Turkey is one of the countries which has not signed the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas, which has been in force since 1994. There are 162 countries that have ratified the Convention, including Cyprus and Greece.

Greece is the latest country after Russia to warn Turkey against crossing the line and interfering with energy companies such as Noble Energy which is due to start drilling in Cyprus' Block 12 by early October.

Israel and Cyprus' interests are also closely aligned after the two countries signed an agreement delimiting their maritime borders in late 2010.

Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis just wrapped up a visit to Israel to discuss undersea hydrocarbon exploration with President of Israel Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman. The maritime border agreement - declared null and void by Turkey - also led to cooperation on undersea reserves exploitation and closer diplomatic relations between Israel and Cyprus, with Peres expected to visit Cyprus in the near future.

On August 9th, Turkey renewed its veiled threats towards Cyprus on the issue of undersea gas and oil exploration, with a statement from its foreign ministry saying that "the Greek Cypriot Administration does not represent in law or in fact the Turkish Cypriots and Cyprus as a whole."

Bilateral agreements between Cyprus, Lebanon and Israel are "unilateral actions" which could derail settlement talks, give rise to new conflicts and increase tensions in the region, according to the statement.

"These unlawful acts create tension in the region, compromise and prejudge the Turkish Cypriots’ existing and inherent equal rights over the natural resources of the island," says Turkey's foreign ministry.

In response, recently-appointed foreign minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoulis said that the statements were 'posturing' from Turkey and that she would complain to the UN Security Council and the EU. And President Demetris Christofias called on the international community to end its silence on Turkey's threatening attitude to Cyprus.

http://www.cyprusnewsreport.com/?q=node/4549


Vice President of the Greek Government Theodoros Pangalos has assured that Greece will support the Republic of Cyprus and that any attack against Cyprus would be considered an attack against Greece.

Addressing the Hellenic Parliament and sending a message to Turkey regarding its threats concerning explorations in Cyprus' exclusive economic zone, Pangalos said ''Cyprus is an independent member of the UN and has the right to independently determine its interests, alone or in cooperation with other countries.'

http://famagusta-gazette.com/greece-war ... 908-69.htm


Vice President of the Greek Government Theodoros Pangalos has assured that Greece will support the Republic of Cyprus and that any attack against Cyprus would be considered an attack against Greece.
Addressing the Hellenic Parliament and sending a message to Turkey regarding its threats concerning explorations in Cyprus` exclusive economic zone, Pangalos said “Cyprus is an independent member of the UN and has the right to independently determine its interests, alone or in cooperation with other countries.“
Christofias: Turkey’s threats against Cyprus call for vigilance
President Demetris Christofias called for “vigilance and readiness” by the National Guard vis-a-vis “Turkish arrogance” and the threats by Ankara, aiming to intimidate Cyprus in order to abandon exploitation of hydrocarbon reserves in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Speaking at the Presidential Palace this morning, during the ceremony of affirmation of the new Deputy Chief of the National Guard, Major General Andreas Petrides, the President said that Petrides assumes his duties during a very difficult time, while the Turkish occupation of a significant part of Cyprus still continues.
“Turkish arrogance and the treats that are being made, in an effort to intimidate the Republic of Cyprus, aiming at dissuading the country from exploiting its EEZ, call for vigilance and readiness”, President Christofias said.

http://greece.greekreporter.com/2011/09 ... er-cyprus/

[Capt J Sparrow]

Ooh, this looks like a setup for the Captain....

Yippeee, the Spartans are coming! Yialoser will be so excited.

When, where???

[ZoC]

Greece is able to defend Cyprus' sovereignty.

The heart of our defence doctrine is always the Cyprus Republic.

Any attack against Cyprus would be considered an attack against Greece.

er... hello? 37% of the island is occupied and swarming with turkish troops and illegal settlers. sh*t the fuck up and defend it!

[Capt J Sparrow]

Greece is able to defend Cyprus' sovereignty.

The heart of our defence doctrine is always the Cyprus Republic.

er... hello? 37% of the island is occupied and swarming with turkish troops and illegal settlers. sh*t the fuck up and defend it!

I wonder what there waiting for?

I even went to the effort of drawing battle plans. Our sheep will be the Flagship of course!

Looky here Spartans:

[ZoC]

I wonder what there waiting for?

hollow posturing from a financially and morally bankrupt waste of space.

[Capt J Sparrow]

I wonder what there waiting for?

hollow posturing from a financially and morally bankrupt waste of space.

And from morally bankrupt individuals.

I got enough to sink them both, but I have a Code that I need to abide by. Kind of like "Rules of Engagement".

[Maximus]

I wonder what there waiting for?

Maybe they are trying to resolve it peacefully.

[Capt J Sparrow]

I wonder what there waiting for?

Maybe they are trying to resolve it peacefully.

But hang on:

"The heart of our defence doctrine is always the Cyprus Republic," he said.

Far out! If Cyprus is the heart, then I wonder what these Spartans will do when Athens is under attack? Would they flee to Libya?

[ZoC]

wot i wanna know is why simple simon posts this shit... he's like the mirror image of satan's little helper, halil.

[Capt J Sparrow]

I could probably answer that, but I just did a quick check into my book of morals, and the Code prevents me from being such an arsehole like them.