EditTurkey and Northern Cyprus sign MOU for 101-km bidirectional subsea gas pipeline
The Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the agreement between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot administration as illegal under international law
Turkey and the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the construction of a 101-kilometre bidirectional subsea natural gas pipeline that will connect the two sides across the Mediterranean.
The pipeline will run from Anamur on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast to the Teknecik region in Northern Cyprus. The project includes approximately 97 kilometres of offshore pipeline and 4 kilometres of onshore section. It will consist of two 22-inch pipelines and is designed for bidirectional operation, allowing natural gas to flow from Turkey to the TRNC and, in the future, potentially in the reverse direction if new gas resources are discovered in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The agreement was signed to strengthen Northern Cyprus’s energy security, support electricity generation at the Teknecik Power Plant, and advance the TRNC’s long-term electrification strategy. The pipeline is planned to become fully operational by 2028.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar emphasised that the project represents a historic step in Turkey-TRNC energy cooperation. He noted that the bidirectional design will not only ensure a reliable supply of natural gas to Northern Cyprus but also create the infrastructure needed for future regional gas transfers through Turkey to Europe.
This development is expected to significantly reduce the TRNC’s dependence on other energy sources and enhance energy stability on the island. The signing of the MOU marks another concrete step in deepening economic and energy ties between Turkey and the TRNC.
Cyprus reacts
The Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the agreement between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot administration as illegal under international law, stating that it constitutes a direct violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus. Nicosia emphasised that any deal signed by Turkey with the “illegal entity” in the north has no legal standing and will not be recognised under any circumstances. This reaction fits the long-running dispute over maritime zones and energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The article by Bosphorus News can be found here.
Caption: AI-generated illustrative image [Bosphorus News]
Updated: July 14, 2026 - 18:53
