‘Towards an Israeli-Turkish War’
Thursday, 23 December 2010
By Gizem YELDAN (JTW)
ANKARA - Greek Cypriot Government and Israel signed an agreement aiming at facilitating the search for mineral deposits in the east Mediterranean, where huge natural gas reserves have been discovered by a US firm last week. However, the agreement disregards the rights and jurisdiction of Turkish Cypriot State (TRNC).
Turkey's Foreign Ministry stated that Turkish Cypriots have also rights and jurisdiction over the maritime areas of Cyprus Island. The statement indicated that countries in the regions should not back moves “that would have a negative impact on the comprehensive settlement negotiations” and that “agreements signed by the Greek Cypriots with countries of the region are null and void for Turkey.”
According to, Ardan Zenturk, a Turkish columnist, Turkey’s attitude is so clear about this issue; “it is impossible to carry out that kind of conventions without a permanent agreement which guarantees Turkish Cypriots’ rights on the island”. “If related companies would attempt to search for natural gas in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) marine space, based on the agreement with Greek Cypriots, they will find Turkish navy against themselves. If Israel would attempt to extract natural gas in this sensitive area, and be unfair against Turkish Cypriots, like it has been doing so in Palestine and Lebanon, a new war in eastern Mediterranean Sea will be inevitable”, he said.
Cyprus was split into a Greek Cypriot south and a Turkish Cypriot north in 1974 when Turkey sent troops to the island in response to a military coup by supporters of a union with Greece. The island joined the European Union in 2004, but only the internationally recognized south enjoys membership benefits. Though the EU promised to remove isolation over the Turkish Cyprus when the Turks voted ‘yes’ to the UN peace plan, the EU has not keep its words since then. Talks aimed at reunifying the island have produced only limited progress since they began more than two years ago.
By Gizem YELDAN (JTW)
23 December 2010
Thursday, 23 December 2010
By Gizem YELDAN (JTW)
ANKARA - Greek Cypriot Government and Israel signed an agreement aiming at facilitating the search for mineral deposits in the east Mediterranean, where huge natural gas reserves have been discovered by a US firm last week. However, the agreement disregards the rights and jurisdiction of Turkish Cypriot State (TRNC).
Turkey's Foreign Ministry stated that Turkish Cypriots have also rights and jurisdiction over the maritime areas of Cyprus Island. The statement indicated that countries in the regions should not back moves “that would have a negative impact on the comprehensive settlement negotiations” and that “agreements signed by the Greek Cypriots with countries of the region are null and void for Turkey.”
According to, Ardan Zenturk, a Turkish columnist, Turkey’s attitude is so clear about this issue; “it is impossible to carry out that kind of conventions without a permanent agreement which guarantees Turkish Cypriots’ rights on the island”. “If related companies would attempt to search for natural gas in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) marine space, based on the agreement with Greek Cypriots, they will find Turkish navy against themselves. If Israel would attempt to extract natural gas in this sensitive area, and be unfair against Turkish Cypriots, like it has been doing so in Palestine and Lebanon, a new war in eastern Mediterranean Sea will be inevitable”, he said.
Cyprus was split into a Greek Cypriot south and a Turkish Cypriot north in 1974 when Turkey sent troops to the island in response to a military coup by supporters of a union with Greece. The island joined the European Union in 2004, but only the internationally recognized south enjoys membership benefits. Though the EU promised to remove isolation over the Turkish Cyprus when the Turks voted ‘yes’ to the UN peace plan, the EU has not keep its words since then. Talks aimed at reunifying the island have produced only limited progress since they began more than two years ago.
By Gizem YELDAN (JTW)
23 December 2010
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