Developments in the EEZ/continental shelf of Cyprus

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Republic of Cyprus Nicosia, 09.10.2019

Turkey’s new illegal drilling in Cyprus EEZ/continental shelf

• New drilling target lies at 44nm from the closest coast of Cyprus and 133nm from the closest coast of Turkey

• Block 7 is licensed to ENI and TOTAL

• Area delimited between Cyprus and Egypt (2003 EEZ Delimitation Agreement)

• Constitutes a violation of the sovereign rights of Cyprus

New drilling target at the extreme southern tip of Turkey’s claims in Cyprus’ EEZ/continental shelf

High Representative F. Mogherini (04.10.2019):

“[…] deplored Turkey’s further drilling activities 45 nm off the southern coast of Cyprus. [….]

The European Union has made its position on the matter clear through repeated Council and European Council Conclusions, most recently on 15 July 2019, and is in full solidarity with Cyprus.

Turkey needs to refrain from such actions and respect the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus to explore and exploit its natural resources in accordance with international law within its Exclusive Economic Zone. Furthermore, Turkey should accept the invitation of the government of Cyprus and address the issue of delimitation of Exclusive Economic Zones and continental shelf through dialogue and negotiation in good faith and in full respect of international law and in accordance with the principle of good neighbourly relations.

[…] discussed the possibility of targeted measures in light of Turkey’s continued drilling activities. The High Representative also decided that the issue will be on the agenda of the next Foreign Affairs Council on 14 October in Luxembourg.”

New illegal drilling - Reaction of the international community

GREECE:

“[…] Carrying out drilling activities in a maritime region that not only is within the EEZ and continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus, but has also been delimited and licensed to European companies, clashes with any notion of legality, while ignoring calls from the EU and the international community for respect of the rights of the Republic of Cyprus and de-escalation of tensions.

[…] We also call to mind that the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and the European Commission have been called upon to continue the process for the adoption of targeted measures against Turkey.[…]”

EGYPT:

“Egypt affirms the rights and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus over its resources in the Eastern Mediterranean region in accordance with international law, including areas where Cyprus has been granted a license to explore for oil and gas […].

[…] warned against the continuation of any unilateral actions that violate Cypriot rights and threaten the security and stability of the Eastern Mediterranean region, stressing the need to respect and implement the rules and provisions of international law.”

New illegal drilling - Reaction of the international community

FRANCE:

“The arrival of a new Turkish drilling ship in the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a violation of the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus and international law. This is an unfriendly move, likely to encourage an escalation of tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs had the opportunity to discuss this situation with his Cypriot counterpart. He expressed France`s full and complete solidarity.

The October 14th Foreign Affairs Council will examine these developments and the consequences to be drawn from them, in the wake of its July 15th conclusions.”

New illegal drilling - Reaction of the international community

ITALY:

“Italy is concerned about the illegal operations carried out by the Turkish vessel Yavuz in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus, south of the island. We reiterate our request to respect the sovereign rights of Cyprus and to refrain from illegal actions in the area.

In July, the Foreign Affairs Council decided political measures to respond to the Turkish initiatives in the Eastern Mediterranean, in full solidarity with Cyprus. It also decided to remain seized of the matter.

With our partners, we have chosen a firm yet gradual and reversible approach to create the conditions for a de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. We sincerely hope that this outcome is still possible, and we hope that Turkey will revert to a more constructive stance as soon as possible.”

New illegal drilling - Reaction of the international community

US Secretary of State:

“I can assure you that we understand the dangers, we are aware of the operations and we will proceed with all necessary actions in order to avoid the militarization of the issues and to succeed mutually acceptable results.

We conveyed to Turkey the message that operations in international waters are governed by certain rules. We told the Turks that illegal drillings are unacceptable. The US will take all necessary diplomatic initiatives to ensure that all actions comply with the international Law.

We want to make sure that rules govern international exploration in the Mediterranean Sea’s energy resources and that no country can hold Europe hostage.

We have told the Turks that illegal drilling is unacceptable, and we’ll continue to take diplomatic actions to make sure that we do, as we do always, ensure that lawful activity takes place.”

New illegal drilling - Reaction of the international community

“The Heads of State and Government expressed their grave concern regarding the current escalation within the maritime zones in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, in particular, they

[…] strongly condemned Turkey’s ongoing actions in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone and territorial waters, which violate international law, as well as new attempts to illegally conduct drilling operations in Cyprus’ EEZ / continental shelf, in marine areas already delimited, in accordance with international law.

They expressed their concern over increased militarization of the area that threatens the wider stability, peace and security in the Mediterranean Sea.

They stressed the importance for the respect of the sovereignty and the sovereign rights of each state in its Maritime Zones in accordance with international law, and as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS) and called for the immediate termination of all illegal exploration activities.

They also emphasized the universal character of the UNCLOS and the importance to proceed expeditiously with the negotiations on the delimitation of their common maritime boundaries, as appropriate.”

Trilateral Summit Cyprus-Greece-Egypt Joint Declaration 08/10/2019

‘WEB’ OF AGREEMENTS AND SYNERGIES

ONGOING NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN CY-ISR AND CY-LEB ON JOINT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT

EUROASIA AND EUROAFRICA CABLES

Cyprus EEZ/continental shelf

New drilling target at the extreme southern tip of Turkey’s claims in Cyprus’ EEZ/continental shelf

Turkey’s illegal activities in Cyprus maritime zones

Turkey’s policy of militarisation of the seas

Seismic vessel ‘Barbaros’

Turkey’s policy of militarisation of the seas

Drillship ‘YAVUZ’

Increased number of military exercises of the Turkish Naval Forces within the maritime zones of Cyprus

MONTH JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEP 1-15 TOTAL JUL 15

– SEP 15 1-14 15-31

NO. OF

MIL.EXER. 7 2 5 4 6 3 3 9 13 6 28

The number of the military exercises within Cyprus’s EEZ, for the period July 15 – September 15, since the adoption of the Council Conclusions (28), has almost reached the number of the military exercises that took place between January and July 15 (30).

The number of flights of UAVs (most of them armed) in just the last two

months is almost double the number of flights recorded during the period

between April – July 15.

MONTH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEP

1-15

TOTAL

APR-JUL 14

TOTAL

JUL 15-SEP 15 1-14 15-31

NO. OF

UAV

FLIGHTS

3 15 15 14 23 48 20 47 91

Increased number of flights of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles over the maritime zones of Cyprus

“[…] strongly condemning Turkey's continued illegal actions in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea.

The European Council expresses serious concerns over Turkey's current illegal drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and deplores that Turkey has not yet responded to the EU's repeated calls to cease such activities.

The European Council calls on Turkey to show restraint, respect the sovereign rights of Cyprus and refrain from any such actions.

The European Council endorses the invitation to the Commission and the EEAS to submit options for appropriate measures without delay, including targeted measures.

The EU will continue to closely monitor developments and stands ready to respond appropriately and in full solidarity with Cyprus. The European Council will remain seized of the matter and will revert accordingly.”

European Council Conclusions 20 June 2019

“[…] the Council deplores that, despite the European Union's repeated calls to cease its illegal activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey continued its drilling operations west of Cyprus and launched a second drilling operation northeast of Cyprus within Cypriot territorial waters.

[…] calls again on Turkey to refrain from such actions, act in a spirit of good neighbourliness and respect the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Cyprus in accordance with international law.

The Council, welcoming the invitation by the Government of Cyprus to negotiate with Turkey [to delimit their EEZ/continental shelf]…”

Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions - 15 July 2019

“[…]

The Council remains seized of the matter and, in accordance with the European Council conclusions of 20 June, invites the High Representative and the Commission to continue work on options for targeted measures in light of Turkey’s continued drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Council will closely monitor developments and will revert to this issue as appropriate.”

Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions - 15 July 2019 (continued)

Mandate by European Council/FAC:

“to continue work on options for targeted measures in light of Turkey’s continued drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean”

NOT just “continued” Turkish illegal drilling activities,

BUT ALSO

Serious escalation

Targeted Measures

Thank you!