Erdogan reasserts Turkish claims on Cyprus at UN

According to a report by Pavlos Xanthoulis in this Sunday's Kathimerini, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan doubled down on Ankara's territorial claims over Cyprus during his address to the UN General Assembly, further complicating peace efforts aimed at resolving the long-standing Cyprus dispute. Erdogan demanded international recognition of the "sovereign equality" of the Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus, or the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC), while also asserting Turkish rights to maritime zones west of the island.

Erdogan stated that "Turkey has rights to the declared continental shelf, to the north and west of the island of Cyprus, and Turkish Cypriots have rights to the entire island," signaling Turkey's expansive claims beyond the northern area it has controlled since 1974.

These assertions date back to 2011 when Ankara submitted claims to the European Union regarding maritime rights in the region, specifically west of the longitude 32°16'18"E. Turkey disputes Cyprus’ right to an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and its ability to exploit marine resources, particularly in the context of ongoing discussions about energy projects like the Cyprus-Greece electricity interconnection.

Turkey’s stance presents a significant hurdle for the resumption of peace talks, with Erdogan reportedly telling UN Secretary-General António Guterres that any new negotiations must first recognize the sovereign equality of Turkish Cypriots. Erdogan also called for an end to the so-called "isolation" of the TRNC, demanding international guarantees for direct trade, flights, and relations with the Turkish-controlled territory.

Turkey’s long-standing position on Cyprus has been met with muted reactions from the EU, which continues to affirm the sovereignty of member states without taking substantial steps to counter Ankara’s claims.