Cyprus problem not linked with economy or natural gas, says Government

The solution of the Cyprus problem is not linked to the economic crisis on the island nor with the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon reserves in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone, said Monday Acting Government Spokesman Viktoras Papadopoulos.

Papadopoulos was commenting on statements made by US Ambassador in Nicosia, John M. Koenig, who said that a tension in the region could have an impact on the US relations with Israel and Turkey and could derail the search for natural gas, adding that for this reason, Washington looks forward to the solution of the Cyprus problem.

“We have repeatedly said that the Cyprus problem is not linked with the economic crisis, nor with the natural gas”, Papadopoulos stressed, adding that those are three different aspects which US Secretary of State, John Kerry himself, has also acknowledged during his recent meeting in Washington with the Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

The Acting Government Spokesman pointed out that the Cyprus government and the President of Cyprus wish for the achievement of a just, viable and functional solution of the Cyprus problem, on the basis of the UN resolutions and the EU principles.

He added that the government would have to deal first with the problems of the unprecedented economic crisis.

The Republic of Cyprus, which joined the EU in May 2004, has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and since then occupy 37% of Cyprus` territory, despite numerous resolutions and decisions by the UN, the EU and other international organisations, calling for Turkey`s withdrawal from Cyprus.