Written statement by the Government Spokesman
Mr. Nikos Christodoulides
Letter of reply by the French
President to the President of the Republic:
Very strong support by
France to the Republic of Cyprus
The Cyprus government welcomes the strong and clear
positions of France with regard to the right of the Republic of Cyprus to
exploit its natural resources as well as the principles that must govern a
solution to the Cyprus problem, positions that have been expressed in the most
explicit and official manner by the President of the country, Mr Francois
Hollande.
Mr Hollande, in a letter of reply to the President of
the Republic, Mr Nikos Anastasiades, underlines that “the position of France
with regard to the right of Cyprus to exploit freely the natural resources
within its Exclusive Economic Zone is clear and firm,” and he points out that
“international law, and specifically the Law of the Sea, must be respected by
all states including Turkey.”
We also note with satisfaction Mr Hollande’s reference
that “France will remind the importance of refraining from any action that is
contrary to the Law by anyone.”
With regard to the efforts to reach a solution to the
Cyprus problem, the Cyprus Government expresses its particular satisfaction over
the position of France that a solution to the Cyprus problem must be found
within the framework of the decisions of the United Nations, and the statement
that “only a solution through
negotiations will allow the sharing of the natural resources of Cyprus for the
benefit of both communities. This is also the meaning of the messages we convey
to the Turkish authorities.”
The letter by the French President was sent in
response to a letter by President Anastasiades dated 7 October, on the issue of
the violations by Turkey in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of
Cyprus.
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