Brussels, Belgium. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called on Turkey to respect the Republic of Cyprus’ sovereignty after Turkey and Turkish Cypriot authorities signed an agreement on a planned natural gas pipeline between Turkey and Cyprus.
Kallas made the remarks on Monday after a meeting of the EU’s 27 foreign ministers, where Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos raised the issue.
EU position
“On the eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus raised Turkey’s plan for a gas pipeline with the island. The EU expects Ankara to respect the sovereignty and sovereign rights of all member states,” Kallas said.
Cyprus’ foreign ministry had said before the meeting that Kombos would raise the agreement and “denounce Turkey for its new illegal actions.” The ministry had described the agreement as illegal shortly after it was signed last Friday.
Cypriot response
The foreign ministry said the memorandum was signed during what it described as the illegal visit of Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz to the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus.
It said the agreement represented “yet another manifestation of Turkey’s revisionist policy in the eastern Mediterranean” and was part of efforts to consolidate faits accomplis of the occupation and further integrate the occupied areas with Turkey.
Turkish and Turkish Cypriot statements
Yilmaz said Turkey would continue to support the TRNC in developing strong infrastructure and a highly competitive and sustainable economic structure.
“This step taken in the energy sector will be a historic turning point in cooperation between the two countries,” he said.
Turkish Cypriot ‘prime minister’ Unal Ustel said the project was intended for future generations and demonstrated a will to leave a stronger, more sustainable and more competitive country for children.
Ustel said the agreement sent a strong message to the eastern Mediterranean, adding that Turkish Cypriots had deep roots in the region and were building their future through their sovereign will. He said they would continue with Turkey’s support, stating that where Turkey is, there is security and strength.
