Cyprus-Forum.com

[joe]

EU rejects Turkey's threats on Cyprus oil

Angelos Marcopoulos

reports from Strasbourg

The European Union yesterday confirmed the right of Cyprus to drill for oil in its territorial waters, rejecting Turkish claims and threats.

The confirmation came from a member of the cabinet of EU Energy Commisioner Andris Piebalg, who is in charge of the cabinet during the summer.

"When an EU member state, like Cyprus, has the intention to proceed to peaceful and legal cooperation on energy resources, it should be free to do so, and be supported by the EU," Piebalg said. Turkey has threatened military action to prevent drilling following the decision of Cyprus to grant drilling rights to foreign companies.

Piebald responded with a simple ``of course'' to my question whether the EU would support, legally and politically, the wish of any of its member states, including Cyprus, to proceed to peaceful exploration and cooperation in its territorial waters, rejecting any external attempts at intimidation. He also confirmed earlier similar statements to The Weekly by Piebalg himself.

"The Commissioner was very clear on this point, and I confirm what he told you recently," the official said.

Turkey must prove its good

intentions on restoration

of Greek Cypriot property

says European Rights Court

Turkey bears the burden of proof and must present not just one or two ``show-cases,'' dealing with the restoration of the usurped properties of the Greek Cypriot refugees, but prove it respects the law, the European Human Rights Court confirmed this week.

The Court ruled that decisions of the so-called "Compensation Committee" set up in the occupied north cannot be considered as an "effective remedy."

According to the recently freshly confirmed ECHR principles, the state responsible for a violation ``must cite enough examples of established case law proving that it provides an efficient remedy, and not just a few cases for purposes of show-off.

``Instead of making general statements, it must concretely specify point by point, which legal provisions prove the availability of remedies in respect of the applicant's complaint, which must provide an answer, without deviating to other points. Otherwise the Court considers that the (respondent) government has failed to show that an effective domestic remedy was available."

The Council of Europe's Ministerial Committee earlier this week recalled its Resolution of April 4, 2007, in which the Turkish authorities were invited to provide without delay detailed and concrete information on any action taken on the implementation of previous judgements of the Rights Court dealing with the restoration of usurped refugee properties.

From the Cyprus Weekly

[Chimera]

So far, so good. Well done Joe. This has brightened up my day.

Turkey is very good at flexing its muscle and their propaganda is like Chinese water torture, drip, drip, drip, that it starts to pain even the most ardent anti-Turk missile (me).

Sounds like the EU has really told them off good and proper. I hope they hang their heads in shame, at the way they have been bullying my poor little sweet, innocent Cyprus.

The only thing to worry about now is how macho the told-off Huns and their army are going to try and be. Their army is itching to get power, and they could be looking for a convenient in-road to conflict and support at home.

Must go out and get the newspapers.