Abstract:

The issue of Cyprus, in addition to being one of the main areas of conflict between Turkey and Greece, also seems to have become a problem that the European Union, the United Nations and international institutions and organizations have not been able to find a solution for years. The issue of Cyprus, where political, cultural and social divisions cannot be overcome, seems to have been added to the economic and energy problems due to the natural gas and oil search work that began in the Eastern Mediterranean in recent years. Especially in recent years, the start of both the Rom Cut and Greece and Turkey and the Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic in the controversial parcels in the region has given a new dimension to the Cyprus discussions in the international environment. Israel, Egypt, Syria, and other regional actors are also closely concerned with the issue. Greece’s movements, contrary to international law and maritime law, threaten the security of the Eastern Mediterranean. This study will also attempt to study the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and international relations in the region by comparing the past and present policy of Turkey with the approaches of other actors to the subject.

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Abstract:

Cyprus Issue which is one of the main conflict areas between Turkey and Greece has also become an issue for which the international institutions such as UN and EU struggle to find a solution. Although political, cultural and social conflict has not been resolved, economic and energy problems have contributed to the list of issues as a consequence of recent natural gas and oil searching activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. International discussions around Cyprus Issue have gained a new level as the Greek Part in Cyprus, Greece and Turkey and the Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic have simultaneously begun drilling in the conflict parcels in the area. The issue has become even more complex since actors such as Israel, Egypt, Syria and Libya have turned their attention to Cyprus. The actions of Greece that violate the international law and the law of the sea endanger the security of the Eastern Mediterranean. In this study, we will discuss this issue from the International Maritime Law perspective. In addition, regarding the international relations perspective, we will analyze Turkey’s past and current policies in comparison to the other actors’ approaches to the issue.