Possible conclusion of an agreement between Türkiye and Syria establishing an EEZ
25.12.2024
Priority question for written answer P-003085/2024
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 144
Yannis Maniatis (S&D)
According to statements by the Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, broadcast by Turkish television channel TGRT Haber, Türkiye is in advanced talks with the new Syrian regime to establish an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) between the two countries.
Bearing in mind the precedent of the illegal and invalid Turkish-Libyan Memorandum of Understanding establishing an EEZ, which violates both international law and the sovereign rights of Greece, a new agreement between Türkiye and the new Syrian regime aims to create a fait accompli and could have highly adverse effects on stability in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
In view of this, can the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy answer the following:
- 1.How will she protect the sovereign rights of Greece and Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean region?
- 2.Will she make respect for international law, in particular the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and for the sovereign rights of the Member States, among other things, a prerequisite for a future relationship between the EU and Syria?
- 3.What would be the consequences for relations between the EU and Türkiye and the EU and Syria if an agreement between Türkiye and Syria’s transitional government was reached, violating both international law and the sovereign rights of Greece and Cyprus?
Submitted: 25.12.2024