Statement of the TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the framework agreement signed between the Greek Cypriot Administration and Egypt

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) have been closely following the statements regarding the signing of a “Framework Agreement” between the Greek Cypriot Administration and Egypt, on 30 March 2026, within the scope of the “EGYPES 2026” conference held in Egypt’s capital, concerning the development with and export of hydrocarbon resource, located in the Greek Cypriot Administration’s so-called “exclusive economic zone” to Egypt.

The said agreement, concluded in disregard of the inherent rights of the Turkish Cypriot people—who are equal co-owners of the natural resources on and around the island—constitutes a clear manifestation of the Greek Cypriot leadership’s persistent policy, pursued since 2003, of systematically usurping the equal rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people both on the island and in the Eastern Mediterranean.

This agreement, concluded without the consent of the Turkish Cypriot people and in total disregard of their sovereign equality on the island, is, like previous such arrangements, null and void for the Turkish Cypriot people.

It is evident that the Greek Cypriot Administration’s continued exercise of acting under usurped title of the “Republic of Cyprus” to conclude agreements with third countries—on the basis of its unfounded claim to represent the entire island—for the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon resources does not only violate the legitimate rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people, but also seriously undermines the basis of stability and cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Greek Cypriot Administration neither has the authority to decide on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people nor has the right to speak on its own over the island’s natural resources. Any steps taken in total disregard of this reality are politically and legally invalid, and constitutes a blatant violation of legitimate rights of Turkish Cypriot people.

Despite the Greek Cypriot side’s persistent one-sided initiatives, we reiterate once again that a regional order based on the principles of justice, respect, and mutual cooperation can only be achieved through the inclusion and acquired consent of the Turkish Cypriot people.

TRNC, in full coordination with the Republic of Türkiye, has the strong will to take all necessary steps in matters concerning the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people, and will not refrain from taking all required political, diplomatic, and technical measures against any attempts that infringes upon their equal and legitimate rights over natural resources.

In this context, we wish to emphasize once again that lasting collaboration and stability on the island and in the Eastern Mediterranean can only be achieved if all concerned parties act with due regard to the sensitivities of the Cyprus issue, take into account the basis of the sovereign equality and equal status of the two peoples on the island, refrain from supporting the Greek Cypriot Administration’s partial actions that escalate tensions in the region and pursue an approach of  inclusive dialogue involving all relevant parties.