Tag Archives: Eastern Mediterranean

Regarding the unilateral natural gas exploration activities of the Greek Cypriot administration of Southern Cyprus

The Greek Cypriot administration of Southern Cyprus (GCA) has been escalating tension in the Eastern Mediterranean through its continuing hydrocarbon related activities with an Italian-owned and Maltese-flagged vessel named NAUTICAL GEO. The Greek Cypriot administration, through a NAVTEX issued on 20 October 2021, has stated that it will commence exploration activities between the dates 21-23 October 2021 in the south of the island overlapping with the licensed blocks by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

The Turkish Cypriot people, as one of the co-owner of the island, are also the co-owner of the hydrocarbon resources around the island. This is a natural reflection of the sovereign equality and equal status of the Turkish Cypriot people gained in 1960. Therefore, we strongly protest the exploration announced by the Greek Cypriot side which did not seek the consent of the TRNC.

In view of the foregoing, the Turkish Cypriot side will not remain as a mere spectator while its rights are being usurped and violated by the unilateral acts and fait accompli created by the Greek Cypriot side. In response to the unilateral acts of the Greek Cypriot side, the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) will continue to undertake activities on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people in the licence blocks announced by our State in order to protect our rights.

The Turkish Cypriot side has always opted cooperation and reconcilement as priority tools to handle this issue. The proposal of the Turkish Cypriot side dated 13 July 2019 regarding the natural resources in and around the island; as well as the call of Turkey to convene a conference with the participation of all interested parties in the Eastern Mediterranean including the TRNC, are two important opportunities which will enable the issue to be handled in a diplomatic manner.

Availing this opportunity, we would like to remind our calls for cooperation once again to the Greek Cypriot administration which raises tension and creates instability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Regarding the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting

The fenced-off area of Maraş and developments in the Eastern Mediterranean have been discussed at the EU Foreign Affairs Council, held in Luxembourg on 18 October 2021, with the participation of Foreign Affairs Ministers of the EU member states.

Despite of the fact that there exist so many other urgent matters which could have been on the agenda of the Council, the EU has opted to include the issues of fenced-off area of Maraş and the Eastern Mediterranean within the agenda items with the sole aim of pleasing the Greek Cypriot side. The biased attitude of the EU under the guise of “membership solidarity” serves no purpose but to deepen the Turkish Cypriot people’s mistrust towards the EU.

The constructive proposals of the Turkish Cypriot side remain to be on the table. In this context, our decision regarding the fenced-off area of Maraş/Varosha, which respects the private property rights; as well as our proposal dated 13 July 2019, which aims to establish cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, are unfortunately disregarded by the EU.

It is clear that the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions have not yielded any positive result. Bearing this fact in mind, the Turkish Cypriot side has put forward a fresh perspective for cooperation based on sovereign equality of the sides. It is crucial to remind once again that this proposal is the only realistic way for an agreement, as it reflects the facts on the Island of Cyprus.

Regarding the unilateral acts of the Greek Cypriot administration in the Eastern Mediterranean

The Greek Cypriot administration (GCA) of Southern Cyprus has announced that it will launch a hydrocarbon research activity on 3 October 2021 in the Eastern Mediterranean, with an Italian-owned and Maltese-flagged vessel. In addition to this, the GCA stated that a drilling activity is also planned to take place by the end of November in the southern part of the island. These unilateral acts by the Greek Cypriot side amount to a blatant violation of the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people.

Despite the aggressive behaviour of the Greek Cypriot administration which escalates tension in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Turkish Cypriot side, since the first day, has made proposals for compromise and cooperation regarding the hydrocarbon resources. The comprehensive cooperation proposal of the Turkish Cypriot side dated 13 July 2019 regarding the hydrocarbon resources, is still on the table. It is never too late to follow the path of dialogue and cooperation.

Moreover, Turkey’s proposal to convene an inclusive conference with the participation of all interested parties in the Eastern Mediterranean, is an extremely important initiative paving the way forward.

However, the Greek Cypriot side’s approach on the matter has always been to turn deaf ears to our constructive proposals and to continue provocative actions. The unilateral acts by the Greek Cypriot administration do not only violate the Turkish Cypriot people’s rights, but also the continental shelf of the Republic of Turkey.

We, as the Turkish Cypriot side, once again reiterate our call for cooperation. We will continue taking reciprocal and simultaneous steps together with our Motherland Turkey, should the Greek Cypriot side continues violating our rights with its unilateral actions in the region.