Rehn: Turkey will have to adopt Law of the Sea Convention

The European Union recognizes only the Republic of Cyprus as the sole legal government in Cyprus, subject to international law, and as such it acknowledges the Republic’s sovereign right to enter into bilateral agreements, EU Enlargement Commissioner, Olli Rehn, has said.
Responding to questions by member of the European Parliament for Synaspismos Dimitrios Papadimoulis, Rehn stresses the need for the immediate resumption of Cyprus talks under the UN auspices aiming to reach a comprehensive settlement of the island’s long standing political problem.
He also notes that Turkey after its accession to the EU will have to adopt and implement the Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The Greek Euro-Parliamentarian in his question noted that the signing of bilateral agreements between Cyprus – Lebanon and Cyprus – Egypt on the exploitation of the exclusive economic zone, took place according to provisions of the international convention on the Law of the Sea, which Turkey has not yet signed and which is part of the acquis communautaire.
He also stressed that the reaction of the Turkish government as regards the bilateral agreements threaten the relations of good neighborliness with EU member – states as well as with third countries.
Papadimoulis requested that the Commission informs Turkey that it has no right to question the sovereign rights of EU member – states, deriving from international conventions. He asked the Commission to persuade Turkey to accept the Law of the Sea, which is the basis for settling disputes at sea.
Cyprus has signed separate agreements with Egypt and Lebanon for the delimitation of its exclusive economic zone for exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon reserves. Turkey has reacted with threats as regards the Cypriot government’s intentions for exploration and exploitation of possible oil deposits or natural gas in the sea area off the island.