[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 55 (Thursday, March 29, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4155-S4156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CYPRUS ENERGY EXPLORATION

  Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, the island of Cyprus has a longstanding 
reputation as a place of natural beauty and rich history. It is now 
emerging as a potential source of energy as well. Developed 
responsibly, oil and gas deposits under the island's southern 
continental shelf could provide an alternative source of hydrocarbons 
at a time when many European countries are struggling to diversify 
their energy supplies. If this ambition is realized, Cyprus could play 
an important role in promoting regional energy security.
  The Government of the Republic of Cyprus, ROC, is working to 
establish partnerships with foreign companies and countries in an 
effort to bring these energy resources online. This process is being 
needlessly complicated, however, by individuals in Turkey and the 
Turkish Cypriot community who are discouraging foreign partners from 
working with the ROC. In view of this behavior, I believe it is 
important to affirm the ROC's right to search for and develop resources 
located under Cyprus' continental shelf.
  Under international law, there is no question about the legality of 
the Cypriot Government's activities. The legal principles at issue are 
codified in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to 
which Cyprus is a party. The ROC has entered into agreements 
delineating its Exclusive Economic Zone, EEZ, with Egypt and Lebanon 
and the areas under consideration for development are well within these 
boundaries. There is simply no juridical basis to dispute Cyprus' 
claims or actions.
  I hope that both Ankara and leaders of the Turkish Cypriot community 
will cease their efforts to obstruct the exploration of Cypriot waters. 
Strong-arm diplomacy aimed at scaring away potential Cypriot business 
partners will only delay the peaceful reunification of Cyprus--and with 
it the day when all Cypriots can benefit from the island's energy 
resources.
  I want to reiterate my longstanding call for both Cypriot communities 
to push forward with the technical talks and negotiations that I 
believe can reunify the island. However, in doing so, I want to caution 
that attempts to interfere in Cyprus' legitimate energy exploration 
activities will only complicate negotiations to end the estrangement of 
the island's peoples.
  The country of Cyprus has long been a key partner for the United 
States, and our friendship rests on the bedrock

[[Page S4156]]

of shared democratic values. In a global energy market dominated by 
authoritarian regimes, I believe it is important for Cyprus to push 
forward with plans to survey its energy assets. I sincerely hope that 
other parties will respect Cyprus' right to pursue this undertaking.
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, in an era of energy insecurity, 
countries around the world are constantly being challenged to come up 
with new ways to meet the energy needs of their citizens. The Republic 
of Cyprus is currently working to develop the oil and gas deposits 
under the island's southern continental shelf in order to expand and 
diversify its energy supplies. If successful, Cyprus will also be in a 
position to aid its neighbors in addressing their energy needs.
  Unfortunately, these plans are being hindered by individuals in 
Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot community who are trying to dissuade 
foreign partners from working with Cyprus. I believe that the Republic 
of Cyprus has the right to explore the natural resources located in 
Cypriot waters, and it is my understanding that international law would 
support Cyprus's actions. It is my hope that the Turkish government and 
members of the Turkish Cypriot community will accept Cyprus's legal 
right to explore these resources and will cease their attempts to 
sabotage future business partnerships. After years of strained 
relations between the Cypriot communities, I fear that such 
provocations will only serve to augment divisions and prevent future 
reunification of the island.
  Cyprus's peaceful energy initiatives will promote economic 
development for the country and its neighbors, and it is important that 
such efforts proceed uninhibited. Additionally, I believe these efforts 
must be taken in an environmentally responsible manner. I hope that 
those persons currently working to derail this process will come to 
their senses and realize the positive effects that increased energy 
supplies will have on the stability and prosperity of the entire 
region.

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