Turkish Cypriot side rejects Cyprus-Egypt gas agreement and appeals to UN

Turkey, on behalf of the Turkish Cypriots, has sent a letter to the United Nations expressing disagreement with the agreement between the Republic of Cyprus and Egypt, signed on March 30, 2026, in Cairo on the sidelines of the EGYPES 2026 conference. The document concerns cooperation in the field of exploration and possible extraction of natural gas in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus.

The letter claims that the agreement violates, in the opinion of the Turkish Cypriot side, the "inherent rights of Turkish Cypriots" to the island's natural resources. It emphasizes the position that Cyprus's hydrocarbons belong to both communities equally, and any actions for their development without the consent of Turkish Cypriots are considered unilateral.

Representatives of the Turkish Cypriot side stated that they consider the agreement "null and void and without legal effect," and also view it as an attempt to present a fait accompli regarding the region's energy resources.

At the same time, the letter reiterates support for dialogue and the idea of joint management of the island's natural resources. Previous statements and reports by the UN Secretary-General, which emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two sides, are cited as arguments.

The Turkish Cypriot side also calls on the international community to facilitate the creation of a mechanism for joint interaction on hydrocarbon issues in Cyprus, arguing that only such an approach can ensure fair distribution of resources and stability in the region.