Nicosia: Turkey must fully comply with its obligations under international law, respect the sovereignty, rights, and jurisdiction of the Republic of Cyprus, and refrain from implementing the illegal 'memorandum of understanding' concerning the construction of a subsea natural gas pipeline connecting Turkey with the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus, urged Maria Michail, Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations, in a letter to the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Michail emphasized that the signing of the purported 'memorandum of understanding' is seen as a deliberate and provocative action by Turkey, violating international law and relevant Security Council resolutions on Cyprus. She highlighted that Turkey issued a navigational warning on 21 July 2026 for deploying research vessels for preliminary survey activities related to the proposed project, signaling Turkey's intention to proceed with the illegal memorandum.
Michail argued that the 'memorandum of understanding' is null and void, as the secessionist entity in the occupied part of Cyprus lacks the international legal personality to authorize such projects. She cited Security Council resolutions 541 and 550, which declared the entity legally invalid and urged states not to recognize or facilitate it.
The Permanent Representative further noted that Turkey's implementation of the pipeline, without the authorization of the Republic of Cyprus, violates Cyprus's sovereignty and jurisdiction under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. She stressed that the project infringes on Cyprus's rights to regulate activities within its exclusive economic zone.
Michail warned that Turkey's actions come at a sensitive time, potentially undermining confidence-building efforts between the two communities in Cyprus and affecting negotiations for a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem. She described Turkey's strategy as part of a long-standing policy to consolidate control over the occupied areas and integrate them into Turkish political and economic structures.
The proposed pipeline, according to Michail, is not just an energy project but a move by Turkey to facilitate the transportation of natural gas resources from areas where Cyprus exercises sovereignty, raising additional legal and political concerns.
Michail called on the UN Secretary-General to convey a clear message to Turkey, urging it to respect Cyprus's sovereignty and cease all activities related to the illegal memorandum. She concluded by stating that such unilateral actions undermine peace efforts and entrench the division of the island, complicating negotiations and reconciliation efforts.
Cyprus has remained divided since 1974 following Turkey's invasion and occupation of its northern third. Turkey has previously sent seismic research vessels into Cyprus's Exclusive Economic Zone without agreements on maritime boundaries. Cyprus has reached delimitation agreements with Egypt and Israel, with a similar agreement with Lebanon pending ratification.