Article

Against the law : Turkey's annexation efforts in Occupied Cyprus

Ilias Kouskouvelis and Kalliopi Chainoglou

• Annuaire de La Haye de droit international = Hague Yearbook of international law, Vol. 29, 2016, p. 55-102

English

The article considers the legal aspects of Turkey’s activities in the occupied territory of Cyprus and claims that Turkey has violated its obligations under public international law. The article critically assesses the (il) legality of economic and other activities such as the construction of the electricity and water-pipeline projects that Turkey has been carrying out in the occupied territory while providing the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (“TRNC”) with political, financial, and military support over the past 40 years. For this purpose, the article establishes first that the “TRNC” is a non-existent entity under international law. Secondly, it affirms Turkey’s status in the occupied territory of the Republic of Cyprus as one of a belligerent occupying power, violating specific obligations of international law. Thirdly, it examines the validity of the delimitation agreement between the “TRNC” and Turkey, and the agreements for the construction of the underwater pipeline and the electricity supply lines. Finally, the article asserts the rights of the occupied sovereign State, the Republic of Cyprus, under general public international law, international humanitarian law, occupation law, and the law of the sea.

• Annuaire de La Haye de droit international = Hague Yearbook of international law / produit par l'Association des auditeurs et anciens auditeurs de l'Académie de droit international de La Haye
• Annuaire de La Haye de droit international = Hague Yearbook of international law [2016, vol. 29] / produit par l'Association des auditeurs et anciens auditeurs de l'Académie de droit international de La Haye