Türkiye supports the fair distribution of revenues from hydrocarbons around the island of Cyprus, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said Monday.

Çavuşoğlu reminded that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has been proposing the co-management of these resources for years.

He also said that the recognition of the Turkish Cypriot people’s sovereign equality was fundamental for a solution to be reached in Cyprus.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 13^th Ambassadors Conference in the Turkish capital Ankara, he said: “the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has been tabling proposals for the fair distribution of the island’s resources since 2011. The most recent of these proposals were presented to the UN on July 1 and 8 this year. Half of the Mediterranean Problem will be resolved if such a mechanism is set up.”

Addressing the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean, Çavuşoğlu said Türkiye wants the “interconnected issues” to be addressed and resolved “holistically and comprehensively in accordance with international law.”

“The key to a solution in Cyprus which is our national cause is clear. The inherent rights of the Turkish Cypriot people, that is their sovereign equality and equal international status must be recognised,” he said.

Çavuşoğlu also pointed out that negotiations between the two sides should not be between two communities but two states.

Reminding that Türkiye’s latest and 4^th drilling ship, the Abdulhamid Han will be embarking on its first mission in the Eastern Mediterranean on Tuesday, the Turkish foreign minister said that Türkiye will continue to unwaveringly pursue its policy in the region in line with the principles of international law and justice.

He pointed out that Türkiye had foiled plans by Greece, the Greek Cypriot administration and others to exclude both the TRNC and Ankara from the energy equation in the region.