The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus has condemned as illegal the signing of a so-called Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Turkey and the breakaway entity in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus for the construction of an undersea natural gas pipeline linking Turkey with the occupied areas.

According to the Ministry, the “memorandum,” signed during the illegal visit of Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz to the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus, constitutes yet another manifestation of Turkey’s revisionist policy in the Eastern Mediterranean. It further states that the agreement forms part of Turkey’s ongoing efforts to consolidate the fait accompli created by the occupation and to further integrate the occupied territories into Turkey.

Full Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus condemns the signing of the illegal “Memorandum of Understanding” between Turkey and the separatist entity in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus concerning the construction of an undersea natural gas pipeline connecting Turkey to the occupied territories.

This “memorandum,” signed during the illegal visit of the Vice President of Turkey, Mr. Cevdet Yılmaz, to the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus, is yet another manifestation of Turkey’s revisionist policy in the Eastern Mediterranean and forms part of its continuing efforts to consolidate the fait accompli of the occupation and further integrate the occupied territories into Turkey.

Under international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the unilateral development of energy infrastructure and the implementation of strategically significant projects, both on land and within the maritime zones of the Republic of Cyprus, without the consent of the Republic of Cyprus, constitute violations of its sovereignty and sovereign rights. Turkey, as the occupying power, bears full responsibility for the activities taking place in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus.

The Republic of Cyprus condemns these latest illegal actions by Turkey and will continue to raise the issue in international forums, calling on Turkey to respect international law, including UNCLOS, as well as the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.

The Republic of Cyprus will continue to defend its legitimate rights by intensifying its legal, political, and diplomatic efforts, based on international law and European Union law, in all relevant international organizations, including the European Union.