President Nicos Anastasiades has been criticised for suggesting a ratio of 4:1 for sharing natural resources between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Kudret Ozersay said that Anastasiades had no right to make unilateral decisions on how natural gas is shared. The details of how the proceeds of natural resources should be shared between the two Cypriot communities, should be discussed by both sides, he said.
“Anastasiades cannot decide unilaterally on how the natural wealth would be distributed, he does not have such a right. I think it would be better if he stops talking about the natural gas issue as if he is the sole owner of this resource. If he really has the will to share the natural resources, then let him sit with us at the table and discuss all together how and by what percentage, the natural resources could be distributed. Let’s do it the soonest possible, let’s enter in an account on this issue. He (President Anastasiades), cannot behave as if he is the only owner of these resources. We are equal owners of these and thus we should decide together on the ratio, we are obliged to do so”, Ozersay stated.
He went on to say that:
“The effort to connect sharing natural gas with the comprehensive solution, shows their unwillingness to share. I have notice that the Greek Cypriot leadership, reflecting the general expectation of its community, does not want to share the natural resources. In international law, there are basic principles on how such natural wealth could be shared equally. The population ratio is not the only element for this to be achieved, but also there are a lot of other similar factors which are taken into consideration, such as the economic level of the communities, the current needs of this wealth, historical usage. When the day comes, we should decide together, how the distribution of the natural resources will be made, we should take a common decision. And that day has already come”
Star Kibris
