TRNC criticizes Greek Cypriot UN complaint on pipeline deal with Türkiye

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Prime Minister Unal Ustel on Sunday criticized the Greek Cypriot Administration for dispatching a formal complaint to the United Nations regarding a memorandum of understanding on natural gas pipeline construction signed between the TRNC and Türkiye, dismissing the move as an attempt to obstruct Turkish Cypriot development. Ustel said in a statement issued by his office that the Greek Cypriot move would fail to deter cooperation between Nicosia and Ankara. "You cannot prevent the development of the Turkish Cypriot people, the strengthening of our ties with our motherland Türkiye, or the steps we are taking for our energy future," he said.

Ustel dismissed the diplomatic maneuver as ineffective. "Let them complain as much as they want. Together with our motherland Türkiye, we will continue to protect the rights of our people, strengthen our country, and build our future together," he said, according to the statement from his office.

'Contradictory stance'

Ustel noted that the Greek Cypriot Administration had concluded various agreements over the years while disregarding the will of the Turkish Cypriot people, rendering its opposition to the TRNC-Türkiye deal contradictory. "The TRNC has the will to make decisions concerning its own future, development, and energy security. The Greek Cypriot administration cannot decide in which areas we will cooperate with our motherland, Türkiye," he stated. Ustel emphasized that the Greek Cypriot side's primary concern centered on the deepening of ties between the TRNC and Türkiye.

He said the Greek Cypriot Administration refused to extend to Turkish Cypriots the same rights it claimed for itself, adding that the pipeline memorandum represented a sovereign decision by the TRNC regarding its energy future. The prime minister's remarks came as the Greek Cypriot Administration stepped up diplomatic efforts to challenge TRNC-Türkiye energy agreements at international forums, maintaining its position as the sole representative of the island despite Turkish Cypriot objections.