The TRNC Foreign Ministry has reacted to unilateral hydrocarbon activities being carried out by the Greek Cypriot side in the Eastern Mediterranean.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the foreign ministry said that the Greek Cypriot side was violating the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people by carrying out such unilateral activities.

It warned that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus will continue to take determined and joint steps to protect its rights and interests if the Greek Cypriot side continues to conduct such activities.

The statement pointed out that despite the aggressive and provocative actions taken by the Greek Cypriot side which raised tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Turkish Cypriot side, since day one, has offered to settle the issue through cooperation and dialogue.

It reminded that the Turkish Cypriot side’s proposal on hydrocarbons dated July 13, 2019 remained on the table.

“It is never too late for dialogue and cooperation,” the statement read, adding that the proposal to hold a multilateral conference with all the interested parties was an important way out of the current situation.

The TRNC foreign ministry however stated that as usual, the Greek Cypriot side opted to reject all these proposals and to continue its provocative activities.