The Republic of Cyprus will hold a European and objective presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2012, President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias has stressed.
In his intervention at the European Council which wrapped up Friday in Brussels, President Christofias underlined that the Cypriot presidency of the Council of the EU would be a “European and objective one“.
“We will function as an objective and just mediator among the EU 27 as well as with countries with which the presidency has to contact to promote some issues on behalf of the Union“, he stressed.
In statements to the press, he explained that “I do not believe that there were any doubts about that among the EU 26. But I had been informed that there have been some rumors that Cyprus` presidency would be a subjective one“.
In his intervention at the European Council, President Christofias referred to Cyprus` presidency as well as to Turkish threats that Ankara would freeze its relations with the EU when Cyprus assumes the presidency as well as to Turkey`s threats against Cyprus` sovereign rights to explore and exploit any hydrocarbon reserves in its Exclusive Economic Zone.
President Christofias said that when he took the floor he condemned in a strong manner the recent behavior and threats of Turkey.
“The Council unanimously can not accept this behavior and notes and condemns Turkish the threats“, he pointed out.
Replying to questions, President Christofias said that some countries warmly supported his positions, noting that “we have had full support by the Council and this is important“.
“We have made clear that Turkey`s behavior, its occupation of Cyprus, etc is an insult to the EU and Cyprus“, he stressed and condemned recent statements made by the Turkish Prime Minister and the Turkish President.
Referring to other issues discussed at the Council, he said that Cyprus fully supported the acceptance of Serbia as a candidate state for accession to the EU.
As regards the economic decisions taken during the Council and whether those decisions undermine the European institutions, he expressed the view that on the contrary, the EU institutions are upgraded and their role is strengthened.
Turkey, whose troops occupy Cyprus` northern part since they invaded in 1974, does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus. Following a decision by Nicosia to begin natural gas and oil exploration in its exclusive economic zone, Ankara has deployed warships in the Eastern Mediterranean and has signed an illegal agreement with the Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus to delineate what it calls continental shelf.
Drilling has already begun and is being carried out by Houston-based “Noble Energy“, off Cyprus` south-eastern coast.
The government of Cyprus has protested to the UN and the EU Turkey`s moves, saying it has a sovereign right to exploit its natural resources, pointing out that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will benefit from any benefits that may come from oil drilling.
The Republic of Cyprus will assume the six monthly rotating presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2012.
(source: cna)
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