Critical confrontation in Cyprus by CENGİZ AKTAR | Today's Zaman

12 Nov 2014 - Ever since the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) became a “global player,” it has no longer dealt with minor questions such as the Cyprus stalemate.

This is why these centuries-old questions are still very much in existence. Today we see that the northern province of the island of Cyprus represents, for Turkey, an economic, political, military and human fiasco.

Trouble in Club Med by Keith Johnson | Foreign Policy Magazine

NOVEMBER 5, 2014 - The showdown between Cyprus and Turkey is a reminder that energy can fuel tensions rather than lubricating better relations The increasingly shrill dispute between Turkey and Cyprus over access to offshore gas fields tidily illustrates that the global scramble for energy resources is raising regional tensions everywhere, particularly in the fractious Eastern Mediterranean, where energy is more an irritant than a balm for international relations.

Say 'NO' to Ambiguity & Uncertainty

An ambiguous "solution" in Cyprus (bizonality is at the very minimum that) is equivalent to the introduction of instability and uncertainty. One thousand times the status-quo if we hope to continue with E&P (exploration & production) activities in Cypriot EEZ.

Turkish Dreams

Comment by cemal ahmet on 5/28/2013 4:46:03 PM on article in Hurriyet Daily News

"Mr.YETKIN,you are still in a very deep sleep.I kindly suggest you to do your own research before publishing an article and don't just sit back and rely on what Mr.YILDIZ is promoting / presenting rosy image to your eyes and rosy words to your ears which are not more than a roadshow. GEOLOGY - TECHNOLGY is a reality here and is a great deal. NO PIPELINES via TURKEY, not 1 million years coz the geology is not going to change.LNG project will take place anyhow even if reunification (reintegration of the minority into the Republic of Cyprus) is to be agreed."

Simple, But Not Simpler!

Everything should be as simple as it can be, said Einstein, but not simpler. For Cypriots it means fixing 1960,

not replacing it. Remove apartheid, foreigners' rights, fascistic divisions, colonial remnants. Restore the historic, cultural and demographic integrity of Cyprus. Safeguard every legal citizen's human rights. Protect those that need (or feel they need) protection. One person, one vote. EU, eurozone member. Europe's energy pillar & diplomacy/education regional center for the promotion of western values in a neighborhood searching for answers to fundamental societal questions.

Simple. But not simpler.

Cyprus EEZ as of April 2013

Cyprus is reportedly debating granting the rights to block 8 to Israeli interests in exchange for Israel's support for the construction of an LNG plant in Vassiliko. In the mean time, the Turkish crimes in illegally occupied and illegally colonized northern Cyprus continue unabated, with its legal population still waiting after almost 40 years for its return to their homes and properties.

Cyprus to build gas plant with or without Israel | AP | Menelaos Hadjicostis | 3 April 2013

Associated Press

NICOSIA, Cyprus -- Cyprus' offshore natural gas deposits are enough to warrant the construction of a gas
processing plant to export excess supply, regardless of whether Israel decides to be a partner in the project, the island nation's foreign minister said Wednesday.

Cypriot terms for an energy deal with "Turkey"

"Turkey" threatens Israel and others not to collaborate with Cyprus on energy matters. The truth is however that "Turkey" has no legal leg to stand on. Having said that, Cyprus could agree to pass a pipeline through
"Turkey" if all of the below conditions are met:

1. Turkish troops withdraw immediately (unconditionally)
2. Turkish settlers are repatriated back to "Turkey" within six months (unconditionally)
3. "Turkey" and Cyprus agree on a single definition of POLITICAL EQUALITY and for its uniform application to address their minority communities' demands, Cyprus for its 80.000 Turkish Cypriots and "Turkey" for its 23 million Kurds
4. "Turkey" pays Cyprus 200 billion euros, the estimated cost of its illegal invasion and illegal 40 year occupation.

Ps. The 4th condition could be negotiated.

The Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus

"Turkey" today threatened Russia and Italy about participating in Cyprus's EEZ. "Turkey" refuses to see what the rest of the world sees: a UN, EU member. Turks as a result, ethnic Turks, believe the world has a problem. And they are right. "Turkey" is fast becoming the world's number one problem!

Ps. The bit of sea on the top right of the map could very well be Kurdish EEZ by end of 2013!

A Cyprus that deserves our admiration

Cyprus to Negotiate Gas License With Eni, Novatek, Total, KoGas
By Stelios Orphanides - Oct 31, 2012 - Bloomberg

Cyprus will negotiate the sale of oil and gas licenses for four blocks in its exclusive economic zone, which will be concluded in 2013, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Neoklis Sylikiotis said.

Confronting "independent" international experts

Responding to a number of inaccuracies and clear distortions of the truth in  Aphrodite’s Gift: Can Cypriot Gas Power a New Dialogue?  prepared by the International Crisis Group  Mr Charalambos Constantinides  addressed the following e-mail to ICG. An excellent read!

"

I have read with interest your above referenced report, but I was buffled by the repeated reference to the Greek Cypriot government when you should be referring to the Government of the Republic of Cyprus.

I am sure you know that the Greek Cypriots represent one of the two communities, be it the largest one (82%) living on the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, which comprises the whole of the island of Cyprus, save for the area covered by the two Sovereign British Bases.

What kind of pawn and in what game do Cypriots want to be?

François-André Philidor, the greatest chess player of the 18th century, called pawns "the soul of chess." They play an important - though sometimes subtle - role in every chess game, and should you reach the endgame, pawns can become the most valuable pieces on the board! Cyprus is too small to be considered anything other than a pawn on any international balance of power chess game. But Cypriots owe themselves to wonder what kind of pawn and in what chess game they wish to be. Perhaps they now have such luxury.

Triskaidekaphobic?

President Makarios attempted to fix the apartheid 1960 constitution with 13 proposed amendments. All hell broke loose. Now the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) discovered lots and lots of natural gas in its exclusive economic zone and opted to divide it into 13 plots! The RoC has elections coming up in 2013, not to mention than on November 30th of 2013 it will be 50 years since the 13 constitutional proposals. Last, if we find a solution in 2013 it will be 39, or 3 times 13, years after the 1974 catastrophe! Any triskaidekaphobics around?

I am looking for the person to lead Cypriots into the future. Any ideas? Why?

The Law of the Sea Vs. a sea of inconsistencies

An answer to  The Law of the Sea: Turkey vs. Cyprus by Alper Ali Rıza 13 Dec 2011 Today's Zaman  by Dr G. Pamboridis , 14 December 2011 , 17:06 - Even though the affiliations of the author could not be hidden, I have to say this is one of the most open minded articles I have read from a person of Turkish decent (if I assume correctly). I must applaud. With all respect though, International Law is not only Treaty Law; it is primarily Customary Law and it is not subject to the adherence of Turkey to it, through the ratification of the Law of the Sea Convention. 

The EU can get angry too, as it turns out

At a meeting on Thursday afternoon in Brussels with President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias, President of the Socialists Group at the European Parliament Martin Schulz was asked to comment on Turkey`s recent behavior as regards the Cyprus issue and the threats Ankara has launched against Cyprus` sovereign right to explore and exploit any hydrocarbon reserves in its Exclusive Economic Zone, Schulz said “I was angry and I told it to the Turkish Minister of EU Affairs Egemen Bagis“.

Money talks, Turkish regional ambition walks

David , 23 October 2011 , 19:38 - This is a nightmare scenario for Turkey, Israel, Cyprus and Greece sharing in a gas and possible oil pipeline into the EU, the world's largest energy market. Not only that but there are strong indications that Egypt, with a population larger than Turkey and with huge gas and oil energy reserves of its own will eventually join in with the Cyprus pipeline. The regional influence, the influence within the EU and the billions of dollars generated annually by Cyprus, Greece and Israel from such a project will dwarf even the most grandiose dreams Turkey has of ME regional superiority over its neighbours. 

Cyprus bolsters EU's energy security

The President of the European People's Party (EPP), Wilfried Martens, reacted today to the unprecedented military threats from Turkish officials regarding the start of oil and gas exploration by the Republic of Cyprus in its southmost exclusive economic zone (EEZ), by the American contractor 'Noble':

The perils of boob jobs

"Turkey is incorrect, since drilling procedures are in line and thus legally protected by the UN Convention for Sea, Palmer Report, which Turkey has never signed, and cannot claim. The European Union and its members are legally bound by European Law."

"Criminal acts intended or calculated to provoke a state of terror in the general public, a group of persons or particular persons or countries for political purposes are in any circumstance unjustifiable, whatever the considerations of a political, philosophical, ideological, racial, ethnic, religious or any other nature that may be invoked to justify them, in accord to the United Nations Assembly."

Turkish clown culture

How Turkish of Bağış, Turkey's Minister of EU Affairs, to issue military threats! How rich of him to invoke international law when Turkey grossly violates international law!

Q. Greek Cyprus has declared that it will begin oil exploration in the Mediterranean on Oct. 1. Can you comment on this?

Understanding leverage for dummies

The picture says it all, dummies et al.

Credit to m and his post at Cyprus Mail's New Turkish threats over drilling | September 3, 2011 which is also listed in full below.