Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan used his address to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to deliver poignant messages toward both Greece and Cyprus, underscoring Ankara’s determination to shape the future of energy and security in the Eastern Mediterranean.
While adopting a conciliatory tone toward Athens, Erdogan once again called on the international community to recognize the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), a move that challenges long-standing UN resolutions and is opposed by the European Union.
Erdogan on Cyprus at the UN: Calls for recognition and two-state solution
On Cyprus, Erdogan struck a defiant note. He accused the Greek Cypriot leadership of obstructing peace efforts and reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot community would never accept minority status on the island.
He urged states to establish diplomatic and economic ties with the TRNC, which only Turkey recognizes. His remarks reinforced Ankara’s rejection of a federal solution and its advocacy for a two-state framework, framing the isolation of Turkish Cypriots as unjust.
Energy disputes: “No project without Turkey,” Erdogan maintains at the UN
Turning to energy, Erdogan emphasized that Turkey will not allow regional energy projects to bypass its participation.
He warned that no hydrocarbon or electricity initiatives in the Eastern Mediterranean can move forward without Ankara’s involvement.
The timing of his remarks coincides with two significant energy developments:
- Chevron’s exploration plans south of Crete in offshore blocks licensed by Greece, a project that could undermine the contested Turkey-Libya maritime accord of 2019
- The Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), a long-delayed undersea cable project linking Israel, Cyprus, and Greece, which would connect Eastern Mediterranean electricity grids to mainland Europe
Erdogan’s statements serve as a reminder of Turkey’s readiness to challenge projects it views as excluding Ankara or the TRNC.
Erdogan strikes cooperative tone with Greece
In contrast, Erdogan sought to strike a more cooperative tone with Athens. He described the Aegean as a “sea of peace and development” and said he was ready to collaborate with Greece on energy matters.
“We expect the same response,” he said, in comments signaling cautious openness despite longstanding tensions. A planned meeting between Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in New York City was postponed, underscoring the fragility of the recent thaw in bilateral relations.
Broader focus: Middle East and Palestine
Although Cyprus and energy disputes featured prominently, Erdogan devoted much of his UN speech to the Middle East, particularly Turkey’s support for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
His remarks highlighted Ankara’s broader regional agenda, positioning Turkey as both a protector of Palestinian rights and a decisive actor in Mediterranean energy diplomacy.
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