President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias has sent a second letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in which he protests the continuation of Turkish harassments against research vessels within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ)of Cyprus.
In his letter to the UNSG, dated 25 November 2008, President Christofias notes that “subsequent to my letter of 14 November 2008, at least three serious incidents took place involving the harassment of research vessels by Turkish warships in the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Cyprus”.
“I find myself in the unpleasant position of expressing my dismay over the continuation of such aggressive actions”, the Cypriot President says.
In his letter, President Christofias explains that on 19 November, two vessels, Harrier Explorer and Marja, were performing oceanographic work within the EEZ south of the coast of Cyprus but after being harassed by the Turkish corvette Bandirma they were obliged to change location.
On 21 November, two Turkish warships harassed the cargo ship Aquarius G, which is involved in the research, by repeatedly blocking its course until it was forced to return to Cypriot territorial waters.
Furthermore, on 24 November, the Turkish frigate Gemlik approached Harrier Explorer and Aqarius G and repeated the harassment by blocking the exploratory vessels’ route, forcing them into dangerous manoeuvres.
President Christofias adds that despite several attempts by the captain of Harrier Explorer to contact the Turkish captain over the radio, there was no response.
He notes that the Turkish naval force is constantly stationed within a short distance from the research vessels observing their actions and movements.
“The continuation of these incidents, I am sad to observe, unavoidably impacts negatively on our efforts to reach a negotiated solution to the Cyprus problem. On my part, I am doing everything in my power to protect the process of negotiations and to bring it to a positive conclusion”, President Christofias stresses.
He concludes his letter by underlining the importance he attaches to the international community’s support.
“It is important, at the same time, that the United Nations and the international community support these efforts through effective solidarity”, President Christofias notes.
The Cypriot President's letter is accompanied by a letter from the Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations Minas Hadjimichael addressed to the UNSG.
''Following the serious incident against which President Christofias protested, through his letter of 14 November 2008, and despite bringing this incident to your attention and that of the Security Council, as well as of the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, the harassment of vessels by Turkish warships within the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Cyprus has continued unabated, in a systematic and persistent manner, in complete disregard of Cyprus’ sovereign rights'', Hadjimichael notes in his letter.
The Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state since 2004, is divided by Turkish troops, which invaded against Cyprus in 1974, and since then occupy one third of Cyprus' territory.
