Cyprus Shares Thoughts on 'Discriminatory' Turkish Embargo

Following our article about a UK Parliament member advocating for Turkey to lift its ban on Cyprus-flagged vessels, the OGSR reached out to the Cyprus registry for further information on the embargo and how it has directly impacted their flag state. Our contacts prepared this statement for us.

Turkish restrictive measures against Cyprus shipping

It is recalled that since 1987, Turkey applies restrictions to the entry of vessels connected in any way with Cyprus, into Turkish ports (Turkish embargo). These include Cyprus-flagged, registered, owned or managed vessels as well as any vessel regardless of flag, sailing directly between Cyprus and Turkey. The Turkish restrictions are selective and discriminatory and affect shipping engaged in International trade.

Furthermore, these restrictions violate all commercial principles in shipping which are laid down in Council Regulation EEC 4055/86, such as the freedom of navigation, freedom of transit, freedom of access to ports and harbours, as well as equality of treatment. They adversely affect the merchant fleets of EU Member States, and cause substantial increases in transportation costs, undermining the economic development and cooperation of the region, within the framework of the Euro Mediterranean Partnership. Ιt is pointed out that the Republic of Cyprus fully complies with its International and Community obligations vis- à- vis Turkish flag ships, as these vessels can freely call at any Cypriot port under the effective control of the Republic of Cyprus.

Since 1998, this discriminatory and illegal situation is always acknowledged by the EU Commission in its various Regular Reports on Turkey’s Progress towards accession.

The issue of the Turkish embargo has gained a new dimension since the Republic of Cyprus became a full Member of the EU and the Turkish measures affect the interests of a Union enlarged to 27 Member States. This issue is directly related to the entry of Turkey in the EU, but also to the very serious matter currently debated, that of the extension of the EU – Turkey Customs Union Agreement to the new EU Members. The full implementation of EU – Turkey Customs Union Agreement and its extension to the Republic of Cyprus will lead to the lifting of the Turkish restrictive measures against Cyprus and Community shipping with positive economic effects for Cyprus and EU shipping.

The Republic of Cyprus intends to fully exercise its rights arising from the relevant Community legislation and policy in order to counteract the aforementioned continuing Turkish violations of international and Community law, protect its own national interests and the Community interests in general.