The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, warned Turkey on Saturday 4 May that the EU would respond in an “appropriate manner and in full solidarity” with Cyprus in the event of illegal Turkish action in the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Turkey has announced that it intends to carry out drilling activities, particularly in Cyprus’ EEZ, until September.
“We urgently call on Turkey to show restraint, respect the sovereign rights of Cyprus in its Exclusive Economic Zone and refrain from any such illegal action to which the European Union will respond appropriately and in full solidarity with Cyprus”, Ms Mogherini said in a statement.
Asked about the type of response that could be given, the spokesperson of the European External Action Service, Maja Kocijancic, refused speculation of any kind on Monday 6 May. She added that diplomatic contacts would continue, without further clarification.
As Ms Mogherini had done in her statement, Ms Kocijancic recalled the condemnation, in March 2018, by the European Council, of Turkish “illegal” actions in the Eastern Mediterranean (see EUROPE 11988/5).
The President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, also expressed his concerns, calling on the Turkish authorities to “remove support vessels from the EEZ of Cyprus immediately”. According to him, Turkey's intention to drill in this area is a “violation of international law” and it is Cyprus' “full and sovereign right” to explore and exploit natural resources within its area. The European Parliament had already reacted to Turkish actions in Cyprus’ EEZ in a resolution of 13 November 2014 (see EUROPE 11196/10).
In a statement, the GUE/NGL group in the Parliament denounced Turkey's intentions, arguing that Ankara's position violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and undermined efforts to resume negotiations on the Cyprus dispute. “The delimitation of the EEZ between Cyprus and Turkey can only be achieved on the basis of UNCLOS and not by escalating tensions in the eastern Mediterranean”, the group said.
For its part, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected Ms Mogherini's criticism, arguing that “Turkey's hydrocarbon-related activities in the Eastern Mediterranean region are based on its legitimate rights stemming from international law”. According to the ministry, it is “the Greek Cypriot administration which has not refrained from irresponsibly jeopardising the security and stability of the Eastern Mediterranean region, by ignoring the inalienable rights over the natural resources of the Turkish Cypriots, who are co-owners of the island of Cyprus, rejecting any proposal for cooperation and insisting on its unilateral activities in this region, despite all our warnings”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)