EU Parliament urges 'Bully' Turkey to stop maritime surveys for gas in Cyprus Exclusive Zone

EU Parliament urges 'Bully' Turkey to stop maritime surveys for gas in Cyprus Exclusive Zone. (EUParl).

European Parliament resolution on Turkish actions creating tensions in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus (2014/2921(RSP))
The European Parliament, –   having regard to its resolution of 12 March 2014 on the 2013 progress report on Turkey(1), –   having regard to the General Affairs Council conclusions of 17 December 2013, –   having regard to the statement of 7 October 2014 by the spokesperson for the President of the European Council, –   having regard to the Turkey Progress Report 2014, of 8 October 2014, –   having regard to the European Council conclusions of 24 October 2014, –   having regard to Rule 123(2) and (4) of its Rules of Procedure, A. whereas on 3 October 2014 Turkey issued a NAVTEX (Navigational Telex) directive, by which it ‘designated’ a large area within the southern part of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Cyprus as being reserved for seismic surveys to be conducted by the Turkish vessel Barbaros from 20 October to 30 December 2014; whereas these seismic surveys affect blocks that have been allocated by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus to the Italian company Eni and to the Korea Gas Corporation for the exploration of possible hydrocarbon reserves in the seabed soil; B.  whereas, despite repeated calls by the EU, including in the Commission’s Turkey Progress Report 2014, Turkey continues to contest the existence of the Republic of Cyprus and the legitimacy of exploration and exploitation by the Republic of Cyprus of natural resources within its EEZ, thereby challenging the activity of a European company; whereas Turkey’s claims and actions have no legal foundation and are in direct conflict with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); C. whereas the UNCLOS sets out a comprehensive legal framework establishing a regime of law and order, and rules governing all uses of the oceans and their resources; whereas the EU has ratified the UNCLOS, which is now an integral part of its acquis communautaire; D. whereas the EU has frequently reiterated that Turkey needs to commit itself unequivocally to good neighbourly relations and to the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations; E.  whereas Turkey’s actions within the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus coincide with the recent appointment of the new Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General, Espen Barth Eide, and are negatively affecting the negotiations aimed at reaching a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem; 1.  Urges Turkey to show restraint and act in accordance with international law; deplores the escalation of threats and unilateral action by Turkey against the Republic of Cyprus in relation to the EEZ; recalls the legality of the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus; calls on Turkey to respect and fully implement the declaration issued by the European Community and its Member States on 21 September 2005, including the provision that the recognition of all Member States is a necessary component of the accession process; 2.  Stresses that the Republic of Cyprus has the full and sovereign right to explore the natural resources within its EEZ, and that the Turkish maritime surveys must be seen as both illegal and provocative; demands that Turkish vessels operating in waters in and around the EEZ of Cyprus be withdrawn immediately; 3.  Stresses that Turkey’s actions constitute a violation of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus and of international law, including the UNCLOS; reiterates its call on the Turkish Government to sign and ratify the UNCLOS, which is part of the acquis communautaire, without further delay; 4.  Urges Turkey to revoke its NAVTEX immediately, and to refrain from any violations of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus; 5.  Calls on Turkey to respect the sovereignty of EU Member States over their territorial waters; reaffirms that the sovereign rights of the Member States include the right to enter into bilateral agreements and the right to explore and exploit their natural resources in accordance with the UNCLOS; 6.  Shares the UN’s view that any gas finds would benefit both communities in Cyprus if a lasting, political solution can be found to end the conflict; believes that, if properly managed, the discovery of significant hydrocarbon reserves in the region could improve economic, political and social relations between the two communities in Cyprus; 7.  Supports the rights of the Republic of Cyprus to lodge formal complaints against violations within its sovereign territory or waters to the UN and the International Maritime Organisation; 8.  Reiterates the importance it attaches to the normalisation of relations between Turkey and all EU Member States, and is of the view that the continuation and/or repetition of these actions could have a negative impact on Turkey’s relations with the EU, including its accession process; 9.  Underlines the importance of stopping provocative actions within the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus and of refraining from making threats against the Republic of Cyprus; notes that these actions and threats undermine the continuation of negotiations for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem; calls for stability in this very sensitive region, in view of the challenges that lie ahead; 10. Requests that the European External Action Service and the Commission closely follow Turkey’s activities within the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus and report back to Parliament; 11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice‑President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, and the Government and Parliament of the Republic of Turkey.

Update: 

Turkey’s EU Minister Volkan Bozkır said on Nov. 13 that Ankara will “not accept” the European Parliament’s decision on the resolution.

“It has no validity for us,” said EU Minister Volkan Bozkır, in reference to the draft resolution, during a meeting with Hungary’s minister of foreign affairs and trade in Ankara.

“Although Turkey is respectful of the European Parliament’s decision, this draft resolution is likely to end up like many other resolutions,” he added, implying that it will have little or no consequences.