Regarding the Greek Cypriot Administration’s so-called “Maritime Spatial Plan”

The Greek Cypriot Administration has announced on 20 December 2023 that it has approved a so-called “National Maritime Spatial Plan”. The primary goal of the plan, which encompasses energy sources, sea transportation, fishing, aquaculture and tourism, is reported as the promotion of sustainable development at sea through an ecosystem-based approach.

The said plan is the most recent example showing that the Greek Cypriot leadership continues to act in line with the mentality that it is the sole owner of the Island of Cyprus. This unilateral approach is unacceptable.

It is a fact that the Turkish Cypriot people, who are the co-owners of the Island of Cyprus, are also the co-owners of the waters around the island. Therefore, the Turkish Cypriot people have an equal say and right over the entire process, from the very beginning till the end, regarding any steps to be taken in and around the island. The Greek Cypriot Administration, who represents only the Greek Cypriot people, has no authority to speak or take any steps on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people.

In addition to the announcement of the so-called “National Maritime Spatial Plan”, which  disregards the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people, the Greek Cypriot Administration went so far as to publish a map which overlaps with the maritime jurisdiction zones declared by our country and the Republic of Türkiye. This so-called plan and the map, which is not binding on the Turkish Cypriot people, is null and void under international law and has no validity from our point of view.

The Greek Cypriot Administration, who continues to violate the equal rights of Turkish Cypriot people in and around the island, has once again proven through its unilateral activities that it opts escalation of tension on the island and in the Eastern Mediterranean region rather than cooperation, despite all our constructive calls.

We stress that our proposal dated July 2022 envisaging cooperation and equitable share of hydrocarbons is still on the table, and we continue to support Türkiye’s proposal of 2020 which envisages convening of a comprehensive conference with the participation of all relevant parties in the Eastern Mediterranean, including the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. However, it is worth noting that so long as the Greek Cypriot side continues to ignore our constructive calls, we are determined to continue to take all necessary steps to protect the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people.