Turkish vice president says ‘provocative actions’ by Greek Cypriot side will ‘not go unanswered’

“Provocative actions” by the Greek Cypriot side will not go unanswered, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay has said following a meeting in Ankara with Turkish Cypriot ‘prime minister’ Unal Ustel.

He was referring to hydrocarbons’ exploration and exploitation by the Cyprus government within its exclusive economic zone.

“The Greek Cypriot administration must know that its provocative actions will not go unanswered,” he said.

Oktay was speaking at a joint news conference with Ustel.

He referred to the agreement on economic and financial protocol just signed between Turkey and the north.

“The sole purpose of the cooperation protocol is to structurally strengthen the TRNC in all areas and to create the necessary conditions for it to be self-sufficient,” he said.

He argued that the protocol had been challenged by some circles “with malicious intent”.  “Unfortunately, it seems that an artificial agenda has been created in the TRNC because of this agreement,” Oktay said, referring to the unpopularity of the protocol among Turkish Cypriots who see it a means for Turkey to take more control of the north.

On the Cyprus issue, Oktay said that at the last informal meeting, which took place at the invitation of the UN Secretary-General, the Turkish side proposed a solution based on sovereign equality and equal international status of the two sides on the island.

“As Turkey, we will continue to fully support this vision,” he said.

He also said the Turkish side’s plans to open up the fenced-off area of Varosha in Famagusta would not change.

“Those who have been preventing the integration of Varosha on the island for years, rejecting all the proposals for a solution, do not have the right to say a word about the activities that the TRNC has carried out here. As the authorities of the TRNC have repeatedly stressed, the rights of property owners will be respected in all the steps that will be taken in Varosha,” he added.