Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a strong statement condemning the re-signing of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) delimitation agreement between Lebanon and the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus.

In a statement, Ministry Spokesperson Öncü Keçeli said the Greek Cypriot Administration has been concluding bilateral maritime agreements with regional coastal states since 2003 without consulting the Turkish Cypriots, who are sovereign equals on the island of Cyprus. He noted that the Lebanon-Greek Cypriot EEZ deal, originally signed in 2007 but not enforced, was re-signed on November 26, 2025.

Keçeli emphasized that although the area covered by the agreement lies outside Turkey’s registered continental shelf in the Eastern Mediterranean—formally recognized by the UN on March 18, 2020—Türkiye addresses the matter in the broader context of the Cyprus issue and the protection of Turkish Cypriot rights.

“The signing of such an agreement by Lebanon or other regional states directly concerns the equal rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriots on the Island,” he said, reiterating that the Greek Cypriot Administration does not represent the Turkish Cypriots or the island as a whole and lacks the authority to undertake such steps.

Keçeli also called on the international community and regional countries not to support unilateral actions of the Greek Cypriot Administration or attempts to usurp the legitimate rights of Turkish Cypriots. He reaffirmed that Türkiye, in cooperation with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, will continue to resolutely defend the rights and interests of Turkish Cypriots.

The statement signals Ankara’s continued opposition to bilateral EEZ agreements made by the Greek Cypriot Administration without the consent of Turkish Cypriots and underscores Türkiye’s active diplomatic efforts to safeguard their sovereignty and economic rights in the Eastern Mediterranean. (ILKHA)