Senior figures from Turkey’s ruling AK Party and the opposition Good Party exchanged accusations over Ankara’s policy on Cyprus, the Blue Homeland doctrine and hydrocarbon exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean during a heated parliamentary debate.
Opposition questions Ankara’s Cyprus policy
The debate began during discussions on the self-declared “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (TRNC), with AK Party MP Orhan Erdem arguing that all political parties in Turkey shared the same commitment to Cyprus.
Erdem highlighted what he described as major investments in the occupied north over the past two decades, including Ercan Airport, the undersea water pipeline from Turkey, the new presidential complex, the parliament building, and recent agreements on natural gas and energy infrastructure.
He said the projects were aimed at strengthening what Ankara considers an independent and sovereign Turkish Cypriot state.
‘Where are our ships?’
Responding on behalf of the opposition Good Party (İYİ Party), parliamentary group leader Turhan Çömez argued that infrastructure projects failed to address what he described as Turkey’s weakening diplomatic position in the Eastern Mediterranean.
He questioned the lack of international recognition for the self-declared TRNC and criticised Ankara over the absence of Turkish research vessels in areas claimed under Turkey’s “Blue Homeland” doctrine.
“The Greek Cypriots have issued NAVTEX notices in what we call the Blue Homeland. We withdrew our research vessels, and today the Greek Cypriots are carrying out drilling operations in the areas we claim,” Çömez said.
He also criticised the Turkish government’s response to recent diplomatic developments, including the visit of the UN Secretary-General to Cyprus.
AK Party says exploration will continue
AK Party deputy parliamentary leader Abdulhamit Gül rejected suggestions that Turkey had abandoned its claims in the Eastern Mediterranean.
He said Turkey’s research vessels were currently operating in the Black Sea, which Ankara also considers part of the “Blue Homeland”, while insisting that exploration activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and around Cyprus would continue.
“Our drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus will, of course, continue, just as they do in Somalia,” Gül said.
He added that Turkey would continue supporting Turkish Cypriots “until they achieve a sovereign and equal state.”
Oruç Reis to return
Gül also said the seismic research vessel Oruç Reis was currently operating off Anamur and would continue its work there until 29 July before resuming operations in waters off the occupied north of Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Çömez maintained his criticism, accusing the government of failing to respond to energy agreements concluded by the Republic of Cyprus with international partners and warning that the island was becoming increasingly militarised.
He also criticised the opening of embassies by several Turkic states in the Republic of Cyprus and claimed Ankara had failed to prevent diplomatic recognition of the Republic’s position on the Cyprus issue.
Also read: Electricity demand hits all-time record in Cyprus
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