Kozakou-Marcoullis clarifies process of sharing natural resources in eastern mediterranean

Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis evaluated the latest developments in eastern Mediterranean on the Euronews yesterday. In reply to a question whether the Greek Cypriot administration's drilling for natural gas and oil exploration is a provocation aimed at disturbing Turkey, Kozakou-Marcoullis said, "The project was initiated a few years ago. We determined the borders of our exclusive economic zone in accordance with an agreement signed with our neighbors in 2007 and with Israel in 2010. We have made all our agreements and carried out the entire work in accordance with the international maritime law and UN resolutions. All the natural resources that we will find in our exclusive economic zone will be used for the benefit of Cyprus, Cypriot people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. Of course, in the meantime Europe's energy needs and interests won't be avoided, either." In reply to a question how they will guarantee that Turkish Cypriots will also benefit from the work, Kozakou-Marcoullis said, "We certainly believe that the island will be united and we have no doubt about it. By this way both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots will be able to benefit from operating our natural resources. Actually the current stance followed by Turkey doesn't surprise at all. We have been the target of aggression for the last 37 years." Kozakou-Marcoullis said that the question whether the Greek Cypriot administration would try to make peace with or isolate Turkey during its EU term presidency in 2012 derived from Turkey's failure to recognize an EU member.