MFA slams agreement between the GCA and Egypt

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that the agreement on hydrocarbon reserves between the Greek Cypriot administration and Egypt is null and void.

“This agreement, made without the consent of the Turkish Cypriot people and by disregarding their sovereign equal status on the island, is, like previous ones, entirely null and void from the perspective of the Turkish Cypriot people,” the statement said.

In a written statement regarding the framework agreement signed between the Greek Cypriot administration and Egypt for the development of reserves in the island’s so-called “exclusive economic zone,” the Ministry said, “We are closely following the announcements that, within the scope of the ‘EGYPES 2026’ conference held in Egypt’s capital, a ‘Framework Agreement’ was signed on March 30, 2026, between the Greek Cypriot administration and Egypt concerning the development and trade to Egypt of hydrocarbon reserves located in the Greek Cypriot administration’s so-called ‘exclusive economic zone’” the statement noted.

It was stressed that the agreement in question, signed by ignoring the inherent rights of the Turkish Cypriot people—who are equal co-owners of the natural resources on and around the island—is a clear manifestation of the Greek Cypriot leadership’s ongoing policy since 2003 of systematically usurping the equal rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people on the island and in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The statement reiterated, “This agreement, made without the consent of the Turkish Cypriot people and by disregarding their sovereign equal status on the Island, is, like previous ones, entirely null and void from the perspective of the Turkish Cypriot people.”

It is clear that the Greek Cypriot administration, by abusing the title of the “Republic of Cyprus”, which it has usurped, continues to sign agreements with third countries for the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon resources under the claim that it represents the entire island. This not only violates the legitimate rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people, but also seriously undermines the foundation for stability and cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean,” it said.

“The Greek Cypriot administration has neither the authority to make decisions on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people nor the unilateral right to speak over the Island’s natural resources. Every step taken in disregard of this reality is not only politically but also legally invalid and constitutes a clear usurpation of rights,” the statement stressed.

“Despite the unilateral and persistent initiatives of the Greek Cypriot side, we would like to reiterate that, as in the past, a fair order based on mutual respect and cooperation in the region can only be achieved with the inclusion and consent of the Turkish Cypriot people” it added.

“Our State, in full coordination with Türkiye, has the will to take the necessary steps on all matters concerning the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people and will not hesitate to take the necessary political, diplomatic, and technical measures against any attempts to usurp their equal and legitimate rights over natural resources,” the Foreign Ministry statement said.

“In this context, we would like to stress once again that lasting cooperation and stability on the island and in the Eastern Mediterranean can only be achieved if all parties act based on the sensitivities of the Cyprus issue and the sovereign equal rights and status of the two peoples on the Island, refrain from supporting the Greek Cypriot administration’s unilateral initiatives that increase tensions in the region, openly oppose such actions, and adopt a dialogue process that includes all parties” the statement concluded.