The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a written statement regarding the unilateral hydrocarbon exploration activities of the Greek Cypriot Administration in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“With the activities carried out in the so-called 6th block, the Greek Cypriot Administration is usurping the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people. In addition, the 6th block coincides with the continental shelf of the Republic of Türkiye” the statement noted.
“We will continue to take the necessary measures to protect our legitimate rights and interests together with motherland Türkiye” the Foreign Ministry stressed.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a written statement on Thursday regarding the Greek Cypriot Administration’s unilateral hydrocarbon exploration activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“It is understood that a new natural gas reserve has been discovered in the research carried out by the Eni-Total company partnership in block 6 of the so-called Exclusive Economic Zone (EEΖ), which the Greek Cypriot Administration unilaterally declared. With the activities carried out in the so-called 6th block, the Greek Cypriot Administration is usurping the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people. In addition, the 6th block coincides with the continental shelf of the Republic of Türkiye” the Foreign Ministry noted.
“The Greek Cypriot administration continues its unilateral activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, despite all the objections and constructive cooperation proposals of the Turkish Cypriot side, which is the co-owner of Cyprus” the statement said and added “the continuation of these activities against the vested rights of the Turkish Cypriot people, who are the equal owners of all natural resources on and around Cyprus, once again reveals the dominance and disjointed mindset of the Greek Cypriot side.”
“The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has put forward comprehensive and constructive cooperation proposals in 2011, 2012 and 2019, and finally on July 1, 2022, in order to resolve the problem of hydrocarbon resources, which has become an element of tension in the region” said the statement.
“We remind the Greek Cypriot side, which has not yet responded to our last proposal, that our proposal for cooperation is still on the table. In addition, Türkiye’s proposal to hold a regional Eastern Mediterranean Conference with the participation of all relevant actors in the Eastern Mediterranean, including the TRNC, still remains valid” the Foreign Ministry noted.
It stressed that as long as the Greek Cypriot administration, which does not hesitate to take steps that increase tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, continues to usurp the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people, “we will continue to take the necessary measures to protect our legitimate rights and interests, together with motherland Türkiye.”
“We remind companies, countries and the entire international community that the Greek Cypriot administration does not represent the Turkish Cypriot people and does not have the right to make decisions on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people, and in this context, all its unilateral activities regarding the maritime jurisdiction areas of the island under the so-called ‘Republic of Cyprus’ are illegal” the statement concluded.