buffer zoneAny agreements between Turkey and the secessionist entity set up in the northern part of Cyprus concerning the exploitation of natural resources are illegal, as illegal is the Turkish occupation and the pseudo-state itself, the Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed on Thursday.

In a press release issued as a response to an announcement by the Turkish FM that Turkey and the so-called “TRNC“ agreed to conclude a continental shelf delimitation agreement in case the Republic of Cyprus proceed with offshore drilling activities in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the Cypriot FM stated that “any agreements between Turkey and the pseudo-state concerning natural resources exploitation in any part of the Republic of Cyprus, either in the sea or on land are illegal and contradict the International Law, as illegal is the Turkish occupation and the pseudo-state itself,“ adding “as such as we will denounce them to the international community.“

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory. In 1983 the occupying regime proceeded with a Unilateral Declaration of Independence described as “legally invalid“ by UN Security Council resolution 541 (1983).

“The Republic of Cyprus retains its sovereign rights in its continental shelf according to the international law and no `agreement` or decision by Turkey could affect them,“ the Cypriot Ministry notes, adding “the Turkish announcement constitutes another provocation which contradicts international law, customary law and conventional law, as well as the international standards.“

Concerning the connection between the Turkish provocation with Cyprus` drilling activities in its EEZ, the Cypriot FM reiterates that all decisions and actions by the Cypriot government are based on the international law and particularly on the UN Convention on the law of the Sea and “no third state could set conditions to the Republic of Cyprus for the exercise of its sovereign rights.“

Instead of continuing infringements of the international law and threats, Turkey “should convince the Turkish Cypriot leadership to show good will at the negotiating table for the achievement of a solution to the Cyprus problem soon and the two communities could enjoy the fruits of the country`s natural wealth in the framework of a United Federal Republic