Turkey denounces “Unilateral” Cyprus–Lebanon maritime accord

Turkey on Thursday strongly rejected the newly signed maritime demarcation agreement between Lebanon and Cyprus, arguing that the deal ignores the rights of Turkish Cypriots and therefore cannot be accepted.

Lebanon and Cyprus signed the long-delayed accord on Wednesday to advance offshore gas exploration and boost Mediterranean energy cooperation. But Ankara, which does not recognise the Greek Cypriot government, said the agreement was legally and politically flawed.

“It is not possible for us to accept any agreement that disregards the rights of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,” the Turkish Defence Ministry said, adding that the accord was also “against the interests of the Lebanese people.” Turkey said it had conveyed to Beirut that it was ready to engage in maritime cooperation.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Oncu Keceli called the deal another example of Greek Cypriots acting unilaterally and insisted they “are not the sole representatives of the island” and therefore have no authority to take decisions on behalf of all Cypriots.

Ankara urged regional countries and the wider international community not to support what it called unilateral moves that undermine the legitimate rights of Turkish Cypriots—who Ankara recognises as sovereign and politically equal partners on the island.

Cyprus has remained divided since the Turkish intervention of 1974 following a Greek-backed coup. Peace talks collapsed in 2017, and diplomatic efforts have since remained stalled.