A clear message to Turkey on respecting the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Cyprus is sent by the EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, responding to a written question by the Vice-President of the Group of the Socialists and Democrats and PASOK MEP, Giannis Maniatis, regarding the planned construction of a natural gas pipeline between Turkey and the pseudo-state.
In her response, Kaja Kallas stresses that respect for the sovereign rights of all member states remains high on the European agenda and notes that this specific issue has been raised repeatedly in the EU's contacts with Turkey.
At the same time, the High Representative reaffirms the EU’s full commitment to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue within the agreed UN framework, in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions and the principles and acquis of the Union.
On the occasion of the High Representative’s response, G. Maniatis stated: “Kaja Kallas’s response is clear: The construction of a natural gas pipeline from Turkey to the Occupied Territories cannot be treated as a simple energy project when the sovereign rights of an EU member state are being violated and the dependence of the occupied territories on Turkey is being further strengthened. The EU must actively defend the sovereignty and sovereign rights of all its member states.”
Below are the texts of the question and the response
Question by G. Maniatis:
“Subject: Construction of a natural gas pipeline between Turkey and the Occupied Territories
Recently, the agreement for the construction of a natural gas pipeline from Turkey to occupied Cyprus was announced. This pipeline will primarily transport natural gas from Turkey to the Occupied Territories for electricity generation, although it is being designed for bidirectional operation, allowing the flow of natural gas from the Occupied Territories to Turkey as well.
It is recalled that this is not the first related project being planned, as in January 2026 the construction of a subsea electricity interconnection between Turkey and occupied Cyprus had been announced—again in violation of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus.
Given that such a project violates Cyprus’s sovereign rights and aims at the further dependence of the occupied territories on Turkey and the perpetuation of the partition of Cyprus, contrary to the United Nations Security Council resolutions on the reunification of the island, the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy is asked:
1. How does she intend to defend Cyprus’s sovereign rights against Turkish provocations?
2. Will she consider, at a future Council meeting, the imposition of targeted sanctions on natural and legal persons participating in the planning and construction of this specific pipeline?”
Kaja Kallas’s response:
“The EU remains committed to defending its interests and the interests of its member states, as well as to safeguarding regional stability. In this context, respect for the sovereign rights of all member states remains high on the EU agenda and is consistently supported by the Council and the European Council. This issue was underlined in all relevant contacts with the Turkish authorities, including during the recent visits of the High Representative/Vice-President, the Commissioner for Enlargement, and the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration to Ankara.
The issue referred to in the question was raised by Cyprus on 13 July 2026 at the latest Foreign Affairs Council, and the High Representative/Vice-President publicly reiterated that the EU expects Ankara to respect the sovereignty and sovereign rights of all member states.
The EU remains fully committed to the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue, within the framework agreed by the UN, in accordance with all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and in line with the acquis and the principles on which the Union is founded. Turkey’s commitment and active contribution to such a peaceful settlement, including the external aspects of the issue, remains of crucial importance.
As regards restrictive measures, under Article 29 of the Treaty on European Union, it is the exclusive competence of the Council of the EU, through its member states, to take unanimous decisions for the adoption of sanctions regimes.”