The activities relating to hydrocarbon resources carried out by our State together with Motherland Turkey around Cyprus are intended to protect the rights and interests of our people who have equal rights over these resources. The Greek Cypriot leadership is pursuing a policy of usurping the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people under the guise of sovereignty, including making decisions about these resources, using and selling them.   As stated repeatedly, our State will never permit the usurpation of the rights of our People and will continue to protect their rights with Motherland Turkey .  As the TRNC, we have repeatedly demonstrated our goodwill regarding the hydrocarbon resources, which everybody accepts belong to both Peoples, with our proposals calling for diplomacy.     Our proposals for cooperation  made in 2011, 2012 and finally in July 2019, will contribute to the stability and peace in the region,  however this proposal could not be implemented due to the hegemonic attitude of the Greek Cypriot side. Whilst we do not intend to give up our rights, we will continue to keep the channels of diplomacy open in good faith.   We take this opportunity to repeat our call for cooperation and reiterate that our suggestions are still on the table.  If peace and stability is desired in the eastern Mediterranean Region, the leadership in the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus should be encouraged to take the path of diplomacy.   Contrary to this expectation, it is regrettably seen once again in the EU's statement that the maximalist attitude of the Greek leadership is encouraged. This approach threatens peace and stability. The only positive element in the statement is the call to proceed with the eastern Mediterranean multilateral conference, which was initially proposed by Republic of Turkey.   The President of Turkey, Mr Recep Tayyip Erdoğan,  made a call to all relevant stakeholders to take part in such a conference and underlined the necessity that both sides in Cyprus participate in equal status.  The parts of the statement relating to the Cyprus issue do not coincide with the current reality, and completely reflect the Greek Cypriot position.   These statements also overshadow the five-plus-UN informal meeting to be held in Geneva, Switzerland on April 27-29.   The statements of the UN Secretary General regarding the reason for this meeting are clear. In the letter of invitation, the Secretary General clearly states that a common ground should be established between the two sides, in order to initiate formal negotiations.   Nevertheless, the EU, including the Greek Cypriot positions of coercion in their statement, has once again declared its inability to adopt a neutral stance in relation to the Cyprus issue.   This statement, made under the guise of member state solidarity, does not only damage a possible process, but is also harming the reputation of the EU in the eyes of the Turkish Cypriot people. This approach by the EU is unfortunately causing an erosion of trust of the Turkish Cypriot side in the EU. As it will be remembered, the EU refrained from implementing its own decision in 2004, and did not take any steps to implement the Direct Trade Regulation, dishonouring  promises made to the Turkish Cypriots . It should be known that the Turkish Cypriot People are sovereign and inherent co-owners of Cyprus and their political will is essential.  A step cannot be taken in our region or the island of Cyprus without the consent and political will of our people. As the TRNC, we will go to the meeting to be held in Geneva at the end of April with a constructive understanding and our vision created on a win-win principle.  Instead of the same old methods which have repeatedly failed, there is a need for a new vision and new basis in order to find a settlement in Cyprus.  In the light of all these facts, it is clear that the vision of the Turkish Cypriot side based on cooperation on the basis of the sovereign equality of the two States and equal international status is the most realistic basis for a fair and sustainable settlement which has been sought for more than 50 years.