Nicosia: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus has issued a strong condemnation of the recent signing of an "illegal memorandum of understanding" between Trkiye and the secessionist entity in the occupied areas of Cyprus. This memorandum involves the development of an undersea natural gas pipeline intended to connect Trkiye with these occupied regions.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Ministry emphasized that the memorandum, signed during an unauthorized visit by Trkiye's Vice President, Cevdet Yilmaz, to the occupied areas, is a further demonstration of Trkiye's revisionist policy in the Eastern Mediterranean. This agreement is viewed as part of Trkiye's ongoing strategy to solidify its control over the occupied territories and integrate them more closely with Trkiye.
The Ministry highlighted that, under International Law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), such unilateral energy infrastructure projects violate the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus, as they occur without Cyprus's consent.
Trkiye, as the occupying power, is held fully accountable for activities in the occupied areas, the statement added. The Republic of Cyprus plans to continue denouncing Trkiye's actions in international forums and demands Trkiye show respect for International Law and relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
The Republic of Cyprus remains committed to defending its legal rights and will further intensify its efforts on legal, political, and diplomatic fronts in accordance with International and European Union Law. This includes actions within competent organizations such as the European Union.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 following Trkiye's invasion and subsequent occupation of its northern region. Efforts led by the United Nations to resolve the conflict have repeatedly failed. The breakaway entity's declaration of independence in 1983 has been condemned by the UN Security Council and remains unrecognized by the international community.