TRNC: Turkish Cypriots Are Joint Owners of Island's Natural Resources

The TRNC Foreign Ministry has stated that the Turkish Cypriot people are joint owners of the natural resources on and around the island, and that the Greek Cypriot Administration has no authority to represent them or make decisions on their behalf regarding these resources.

The statement followed the announcement that the Greek Cypriot Administration had signed contracts on 26 October with Italy's ENI to bring the Kronos natural gas field into production. The ministry called this the latest example of unilateral hydrocarbon activities that disregard the inherent rights of Turkish Cypriots over the island's natural resources.

International companies cooperating with the Greek Cypriot Administration were urged to take into account the political realities on the island and in the region, and to consider the negative consequences of participating in initiatives that violate Turkish Cypriot rights. The ministry said the TRNC will continue to firmly protect the legitimate rights and interests of Turkish Cypriots in the Eastern Mediterranean, in full coordination and solidarity with Türkiye.