Denktas: They want to possess oil

LEFKOSA (AA) – Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas has said that Democrat Party (DP) leader and Deputy Prime Minister Serdar Denktas’s diagnosis which said that "there are very broad and important oil sources around Cyprus and all disagreement stem from it" was very true and stated, "they want to possess Cyprus in order to possess oil."

Denktas received a delegation and said in the meeting that, "because we know that Greek Cypriot side has been trying to make agreements on this issue with Egypt and Syria for years. American companies have also launched some initiatives on this issue. Seismic ship has made recently some researches there. They want to possess Cyprus to possess oil."

Stating that American companies had some talks on this issue with TRNC, Denktas said that those companies applied to authorities of TRNC in order to make agreements. He added that Turkey and TRNC were carefully examining this issue.

Denktas said that Greek Cypriot side had been carrying out talks on oil reserves on the island with Egypt and Syria for a long time and stated that the issue was mentioned in Annan’s plan as "water sources would belong to central administration."

Stating that there was not anything about oil in the plan, Denktas said, "it is beneficial for everyone to know that TRNC is eligible for taking measures on those issues and our coasts belong to us. Territorial waters close to our coasts belong to us and we will make good use of those oil sources. We are also exerting efforts to make good use of those sources. Thus, TRNC’s future is bright and sound. No one should have any doubt on this issue. We should carry on our struggle."

Upon a question on details of talks on oil sources between American companies and TRNC, Denktas said that American companies informed TRNC on agreements which they signed with Greek Cypriot side.

"American companies made application in order to make agreements with us. Both Turkey and TRNC are examining this issue. We have the right to make good use of oil sources in our territorial waters. When there is a partnership with Greek Cypriot side, there will be fifty-fifty partnership on every issue. Thus, no one should have any doubt that the future will be better," he stated.

Denktas said that Greek Cypriot side was joining the European Union (EU) with lie and stated, "what did Greek Cypriot side gain? Could they unite Cyprus? No, they could not. Greek Cypriot side should recognize political equality of Turkish Cypriot side to unite Cyprus."