President Demetris Christofias on Tuesday condemned Turkey's latest provocative moves with regard to Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone, saying Ankara has to shift its policies and pointing out that both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots will benefit from the exploitation of hydrocarbon reserves, already found from exploratory drilling. He called on Turkey to help find a political settlement in Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion, pointing out that Ankara and Nicosia, due to their geographical proximity, are condemned to cooperate, a dispatch from the state news agency in Athens noted while quoting a Cyprus news agency report. The President of the Republic warned Ankara that, if it wants to join the EU, it has to contribute "here and now" to a Cyprus solution and relinquish threats. "We will not submit to Turkish threats," President Christofias told CNA on Monday, pointing out at the same time that Turkey would also benefit by the exploration of Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone if it changes its stance and contributes to the solution of the Cyprus problem. (AMNA)
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