The European Defence Agency (EDA) has issued a formal apology following the publication of a report conducted jointly with the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), which sparked widespread criticism for its references to the occupied territories of Cyprus as the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” and its depiction of the disputed Turkey-Libya maritime agreement.
The controversial report, released on September 12, 2025, examined the protection of critical energy infrastructure in the Eastern Mediterranean but included factual inaccuracies that many viewed as undermining international law and European Union consensus.
The issue was first raised by Giannis Maniatis, Vice-Chair of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) in the European Parliament and Head of the PASOK European Group. Maniatis submitted an urgent written question to the European Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaya Kallas, demanding explanations for how such inaccuracies were published and calling for immediate corrective measures. In his question, Maniatis emphasized that the report disregarded international law, EU Council conclusions, and the sovereign rights of Greece and Cyprus, presenting Northern Cyprus as a recognized entity with exclusive rights to explore and exploit natural gas reserves.
Specifically, page 121 of the report stated in English that “As Ankara has not signed and ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and claims that the Republic of Cyprus does not have the sovereignty to explore and exploit offshore resources in the absence of an agreement with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus entity…” This phrasing, presented without quotation marks or clarification, effectively legitimized the Turkish-controlled administration in the north of Cyprus and the illegal Turkey-Libya maritime agreement, a position starkly opposed to EU policy and international law.
In response to mounting criticism, the EDA released a statement describing the report’s content as “unacceptable” and confirming that it had been withdrawn immediately from the EDA website. The agency stated that the erroneous information, including references to unrecognized entities and disputed agreements, did not reflect its institutional stance and reaffirmed its commitment to international law and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all EU member states.
The incident highlights broader concerns about oversight and review mechanisms within EU research and defence institutions. While the JRC serves as the Commission’s scientific advisory body, and the EDA functions under the Council with participation from all member states, the publication raised questions about the procedures in place to verify sensitive geopolitical content before public release.
Greek and Cypriot officials have welcomed the EDA’s swift corrective action but continue to call for enhanced safeguards to prevent similar incidents. Maniatis emphasized that misrepresentations in official EU reports can have serious political and diplomatic consequences, particularly in a region as strategically sensitive as the Eastern Mediterranean, where energy exploration, maritime boundaries, and regional security remain hotly contested issues.
The controversy serves as a reminder of the delicate balance European institutions must maintain in presenting research and policy guidance on complex territorial disputes. The European Union’s credibility depends on accuracy, adherence to international law, and careful diplomatic consideration, particularly when addressing matters that touch upon sovereignty, energy security, and regional stability.
