The Office of the President on Sunday said that there was a need for cooperation not tension increasing actions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

It said that the necessary response will be given to the Greek Cypriot leadership which not only rejects the Turkish Cypriot side’s offer for cooperation but continues to pursue a policy of tension.

The statement pointed out that the island’s natural resources belong to both peoples.

“The Turkish Cypriot peoples’ rights over the island’s hydrocarbons is not only limited to revenues to be generated from these resources but its management as well. The Turkish Cypriot people will not allow the Greek Cypriot side to usurp its rights. The TRNC has granted the necessary permits and licenses to Turkish Petroleum to carry out exploration in the area,” the president’s office said.

The statement reminded that the Turkish Cypriot side’s July 13, 2019 dated proposal on the issue remained valid.

“This proposal was designed on the basis of a win-win philosophy and will allow the co-management of the island’s resources through a joint decision-making mechanism,” it said.

The Office of the President also called on the international community to respond positively to Turkish Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s proposal to hold a joint conference with all relevant parties to discuss the fair distribution of resources in the Eastern Mediterranean.

“Such a conference in which the EU and all relevant sides and parties will participate in will create the opportunity to overcome existing differences through diplomacy. The EU has a responsibility to encourage the Greek Cypriot administration to choose a diplomatic option,” it said.