FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE • Tuesday, 21 October, 2014
THE GOVERNMENT has adopted a package of eight measures with immediate effect in response to the continuing violation of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus in its Exclusive Economic Zone by Turkey.
The measures were announced by the Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides immediately after the end of the meeting, which was held, according to Christodoulides, "in the same spirit of full consensus" among its members.
The measures are as follow:
1. President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades will report Turkey to the European Council, which convenes on 23 and 24 October, with a view to condemning the illegal actions of Turkey and the violation of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus in its Exclusive Economic Zone.
2. The Republic of Cyprus will make use, in various international fora, its status as a member state of the European Union, by adopting measures which will cause a cost to Turkey for its illegal actions.
3. The Republic of Cyprus will not consent to the opening of any new chapter in Turkey’s accession process.
4. Conduct a study of the possibility of recourse to the Security Council of the United Nations.
5. Conduct a study by the Attorney General and International Firms, for the adoption of specific legal measures against all those who are involved in any way in the Turkish illegal activities.
6.Continuation of diplomatic demarches and best use of relations with specific states.
7.Denunciation of Turkey, for its illegal activities, to the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the United Nations.
8. Denunciation of Turkey, for its illegal reserve and illegal exploration activities within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus, to the International Maritime Organization.
The Spokesman said that the Republic of Cyprus will make use of the comparative advantages it has over Turkey, so that it will cause a political and diplomatic cost to Ankara. The specific actions will not be announced, he added.
Finally, he concluded, the National Council has before it a series of other measures which will be adopted depending on developments.