Cyprus Calls on Turkey to negotiate maritime boundaries under UNCLOS, with President Nikos Christodoulides extending an open invitation to Ankara to sit down with the Republic of Cyprus and engage in direct talks on defining their maritime borders under international law.
The Cypriot leader made the appeal on Thursday during an event at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, emphasising that Cyprus remains committed to dialogue grounded in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Speaking at the “Public Consultation Day with Children” organised by the Cypriot Children’s Parliament, Christodoulides addressed reporters’ questions on Turkey’s reaction to Cyprus’ newly signed Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) agreement with Lebanon. He underlined that the Republic of Cyprus, as both a member of the United Nations and the European Union, acts in accordance with international law, the principles of good neighbourliness, and the Law of the Sea.
“My response to Ankara’s statements,” said Christodoulides, “is to publicly express the Republic of Cyprus’ readiness to sit at the same table with Turkey and agree, based on the 1982 Convention, on our maritime borders.”
The President added that if Turkey is as confident in its positions as it claims, it should accept the proposal:
“Let us meet, discuss, and determine our maritime boundaries — just as we have done with other neighbouring states and will continue to do.”
On the Cyprus issue
Asked about recent remarks from Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman ahead of renewed efforts to restart peace talks, Christodoulides declined to comment directly, saying Erhürman’s approach “does not affect the plans of the Republic of Cyprus.”
He reiterated his government’s readiness to resume negotiations immediately from where they left off at Crans-Montana, aiming for a “viable and functional settlement of the Cyprus issue.”
“I told Mr Erhürman that even during Cyprus’ Presidency of the EU Council, I remain fully ready — without excuses — to sit down and restart talks, using the existing negotiation framework to reach a comprehensive solution,” he said.
A message to Turkey and Germany’s role
Christodoulides underlined that political will is essential:
“If there is genuine political determination — and from our side, there is — we can reach a solution within a short timeframe, based on the agreed framework.”
When asked about Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s visit to Berlin and whether Germany might convey messages as part of a renewed mediation effort, Christodoulides said that during his own recent trip to Berlin he had discussed EU–Turkey relations with Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
He confirmed that he had shared specific proposals and ideas with the German leadership, noting Berlin’s strong ties with Ankara.
“We asked Germany to help move things in this direction,” he said, expressing satisfaction with the positive response. “We now await Mr Fidan’s visit to Berlin and will be briefed on any developments.”
