Nicosia is intensifying diplomatic and political efforts to counter Turkish expansionist ambitions in the region, while planning legal measures to prevent new developments in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The Cairo trilateral summit on January 8 will address Turkish actions in Syria and the broader region.
Deputy government spokesman Yannis Antoniou said “the government is concerned about the situation in Syria and wants to prevent Cyprus from facing fait accompli”.
Speaking to CyBC, he noted that whilst Cyprus cannot physically deter Turkey from actions in the Cypriot EEZ, it is attempting to do so through legal and political means.
He emphasised that the government is taking preventive legal and diplomatic action to address potential EEZ delimitation between Turkey and Syria. “We are monitoring developments and are convinced we will safeguard our vital interests”, he said.
According to Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet, the occupied area of Cyprus features in Turkish plans. The paper reports that a future maritime jurisdiction agreement between Turkey and Syria would see Syria gain approximately 20% more maritime area than defined in the Seville map proposed by Cyprus.
Turkey would acquire maritime jurisdiction of about 7,660 square kilometres, whilst the inclusion of the occupied area would grant it de facto recognition.
Yanki Bagcioglu, deputy chairman of Turkey’s Republican People’s Party, stated that the planned agreement with Syria would strengthen Turkey’s position in defending its rights in the Eastern Mediterranean internationally.
The Cairo trilateral summit between the presidents of Cyprus and Egypt and the Greek prime minister will address regional developments.
Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said the meeting will focus on energy, climate change, regional security, iregular migration, economy and investments.
In related developments, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced plans to supply electricity to Syria and assist with energy infrastructure.
He is expected to visit Damascus on Saturday to discuss Syria’s energy transition and infrastructure restoration.
Bayraktar indicated Turkey could cooperate with Syrian authorities on oil and gas exploitation, noting plans for pipeline infrastructure connecting Syria to Turkey and potentially linking with the Iraq-Turkey pipeline.
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