Foreign Ministry reacts to 'Maritime Spatial Planning' by the Greek Cypriot Administration Council of Ministers

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Öncü Keçeli stated, "The areas specified in the 'Maritime Spatial Planning' approved by the Greek Cypriot Administration Council of Ministers violate the rights of Turkey and the TRNC in their current form. This is unacceptable."

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Foreign Ministry reacts to 'Maritime Spatial Planning' by the Greek Cypriot Administration Council of Ministers

In response to a question regarding the "Maritime Spatial Planning" approved by the Greek Cypriot Administration (GCA) Council of Ministers on December 20, 2023, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Öncü Keçeli said, "The areas specified in the 'Maritime Spatial Planning,' which is essentially based on a European Union directive and is being prepared by all member states, violate the rights of Turkey and the TRNC in their current form.

As will be recalled, our country has registered the boundaries of the Turkish continental shelf in the Mediterranean with the United Nations, starting in 2004 and most recently in 2020.

"TURKEY'S EXPECTATION HAS NOT CHANGED"

It has been stated from the beginning that the unilateral actions of the GCA regarding maritime jurisdiction areas will not be accepted, and our country's practices on the ground continue within this framework. The Greek Cypriot side's attempt to exploit the European Union's Directive on Maritime Spatial Planning this time is seen as the latest link in a chain of futile efforts," he said.

Spokesperson Keçeli stated, "Turkey has legitimate rights and authorities to the west of the Island of Cyprus, and the Turkish Cypriots have legitimate rights in the areas surrounding the Island. The GCA's ambitious, detached from reality, and invalid illegitimate initiatives harm the efforts to reach a comprehensive, fair, and sustainable solution to the Cyprus issue.

Turkey's expectation from third parties, including the European Union, has not changed. The negative repercussions of maritime jurisdiction areas and related issues on the settlement process of the Cyprus issue should not be ignored.

Instead of trying to create faits accomplis in the region, we expect the Greek Cypriot side to be encouraged to develop cooperation with the TRNC by accepting that a solution to the Cyprus issue is only possible on the basis of the realities on the Island," he added.

News Source: İHA