Brussels, Belgium. Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos will raise the agreement signed by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot authorities on a proposed natural gas pipeline between Turkey and Cyprus at Monday’s meeting of European Union foreign ministers, the ministry said on Sunday.
Cyprus position
The Foreign Ministry said Kombos would denounce Turkey over what it described as new illegal actions. Kombos had declared the agreement illegal shortly after it was signed on Friday.
The ministry said the memorandum was signed during Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz’s visit to the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus and described it as another manifestation of Turkey’s revisionist policy in the eastern Mediterranean.
It said the agreement formed part of efforts to consolidate faits accomplis of the occupation and further integrate the occupied areas with Turkey.
Pipeline concerns
According to the ministry, the planned pipeline would be constructed on the territory and in the maritime zones of the Republic of Cyprus without the permission of the Republic of Cyprus.
It said the project would therefore violate the country’s sovereignty and sovereign rights.
The ministry added that Turkey, as the occupying power, bears full responsibility for activities taking place in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus.
Turkish and Turkish Cypriot statements
Yilmaz said Turkey would continue supporting the TRNC in developing strong infrastructure and a highly competitive and sustainable economic structure.
He described the energy-sector initiative as a historic turning point in cooperation between the two countries.
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.
