Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades has made an unofficial offer to Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı to give a share of revenue derived from natural resources in the eastern Mediterranean to Turkish Cyprus, the Hürriyet Daily News reported, citing the Greek media.
Anastasiades initially made a verbal offer to Akıncı on Aug. 9 to give Turkish Cyprus a 30 percent share of an energy fund to be established in 2022. In return, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots would compromise with Greek Cyprus on the exclusive economic zones, according to the offer.
In the following days after their meeting, Anastasiades conveyed the offer in a non-paper document.
However, Akıncı rejected the offer, saying the Turkish side would not be given a place in the management of the drilling activities and energy policies around the island.
The two leaders are expected to meet again this month.
Turkey has consistently contested the Greek Cypriot administration’s unilateral drilling in the eastern Mediterranean, asserting that Turkish Cyprus has similar rights to the resources in the area.
Greek Cyprus recently rejected a Turkish Cypriot proposal for cooperation on the joint exploration and profit sharing of hydrocarbon resources.
Ankara, meanwhile, has sent two drilling ships to search for gas in the waters off the divided island, prompting accusations from Greek Cyprus, Greece and the EU that it is undermining security in the region.