Ankara is proceeding with the construction of natural gas pipelines from Turkey to the occupied territories and vice versa, i.e. two-way, in parallel with the electricity interconnection plan. These are two projects of strategic and geopolitical importance, which upgrade Turkey in the wider region and consolidate its presence in the occupied territories.
According to information, in relation to the construction of natural gas pipelines, a meeting was held a few days ago in Ankara to examine the next steps. At the same time, the issue of electrical interconnection, although not current, seems to be facing difficulties, as Nicosia has raised this issue with the European Union. The latter has intervened in the direction of occupying Turkey.
These plans, if and when they are implemented, change the situation in the region and in Cyprus. The goal is to make Turkey a regional energy center using Cyprus as well.
The construction of pipelines
Regarding the natural gas pipelines, the technical studies have been completed and it is expected that the project will be "formalized" when a memorandum between Turkey and the separatist entity is formally signed. This is expected to happen in the second ten days of June, when the Turkish Vice President, Cevdet Yılmaz, will visit the occupied territories.
The project includes the construction of a double natural gas pipeline with a diameter of about 55 centimeters, with a length of 97 kilometers. According to the so-called prime minister of the separatist entity, Unal Uster, the work is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2026 and is expected to be completed within two years.
The project will cost about 700 million US dollars. For the purpose of implementing the project, a new unit will be built at the Kyrenia Bank Power Plant (Teknecik), which will be supplied with natural gas. There will also be the possibility - this is the goal - of storing energy to be channelled, for example, when and when needed, to tourist units.
According to the official of the occupying regime, the natural gas that will be exported from Anamouri will be transported underwater to the Bank (Kyrenia) and stations will be built in both areas.
The issue that, among other things, arises is where gas will be sent from the occupied territories to Turkey. Where will they get the gas from? From drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean region? It is recalled that the occupying power disputes the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus in its EEZ. And it has carried out illegal seismic surveys in the sea area of Cyprus.
The Turkish position on the transport of (Cypriot) natural gas through pipelines through Turkey to Europe is also recalled. According to the well-known Turkish narrative, natural wealth will concern the "two states", which will co-decide. And this at a time when the pseudo-state "assigned" sea blocks to the Turkish oil company TPAO, while the Republic of Cyprus has legally licensed companies to operate in its EEZ.
It is noted that Ankara has often put forward the scenario for co-management of natural gas before the solution. This is constantly repeated by the respective occupying leaders, while proposals have also been submitted by the Turkish side.
A few days ago, Mr. Erhurman, speaking at an Istanbul university, reiterated that "the transport of natural gas cannot be carried out by excluding Turkey". A position that expresses the interests of Turkey and not of Cyprus.
Electrical Interface
An old plan of occupying Turkey is the electrical interconnection with the occupied territories. And in this planning, Ankara's goal is as it is two-way. The fact that objections have been raised by the EU, following the intervention of Nicosia, this, as they admit to the Turkish side, results in it not proceeding. It seems that Ankara is discussing the issue with the European Union.
It should be noted that the issue with the transmission of electricity is not current, it was "frozen" due to financial difficulties, but it is being maintained, because the goal is to implement it. The issue is on the agenda and in view of the problems observed in the occupied territories, which are in danger of being in the dark at any time.
The agreement in principle between Turkey and the occupying regime provides, among other things, for the oversea of an electric cable. The energy cooperation between Turkey and the pseudo-state includes the renewal of the electricity infrastructure, cooperation in the field of Renewable Energy Sources, the production of joint plans for the installation of the necessary infrastructure. It is noted that additional electricity loads are needed in the occupied territories as a result of the operation of the system and the distribution of water from Turkey.
Water first
It is recalled in this regard, the first big step was the transport of water from Turkey to the occupied territories by underwater pipeline. Despite the fact that this has been discussed since the period of Demirel and Denktash, it has been achieved in 2015 under Erdogan and Akinci.
In 2011, the foundation stone was laid in Mersin, and in October 2015 the inauguration of the dam of occupied Panagra, which was built for this purpose, took place. The operation initially faced problems but the "project of the century", as it has been characterized, became a reality after many excesses by Ankara, mainly financial!
Regardless of the problems, it is clear that this project, which was achieved by acquiring know-how, is a tool, political and economic, for the occupying power. Water management is done on financial terms imposed by the Erdogan regime, while with privatizations there has been an "advance" of Turkish capital, mainly from friends of the Erdogan family.
Prevent plans
The projects launched by the occupying power have geopolitical targets. Their implementation, however, according to Turkish logic, also involves the cancellation of the plans of Greece and Cyprus. Obviously, there is no question of cooperation for Turkey either. Although they have often entered the equation of discussions, with the aim of providing incentives, Ankara does not accept anything that does not adopt its terms. Not to serve its interests.
Therefore, the occupying Turkey is trying to stop all the plans of Greece and Cyprus, which will strategically upgrade them. Plans that will make them an energy hub. Such as, for example, the electrical interconnection between Crete and Cyprus, which will then include Israel. But also the ambitious project of the Europe-Middle East-India economic interconnection under the name "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor" (IMEC) which, as is well known, already receives the support of the United States of America. The latter, if it goes ahead, will hardly be able to stop Turkey, as much bigger and stronger players than it are involved.
Target to be implemented in 2028
The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey, Alparslan Bayraktar, in his statements on a television program, referred to the "natural gas pipeline project" between the "T.D.B.K." and Turkey", stressing that the goal set is for the plan to be implemented in 2028.
Specifically, he stated the following: "Our goal is to complete the engineering studies within this year and to carry out the studies related to the seabed. We want to implement this plan within 24 months of the completion of the study and design process, i.e. in 2028."
In addition, he mentioned something that needs to be investigated. He said that this pipeline aims not only to meet the energy needs of the "t.d.b.k.", but also to transport to Europe via Turkey, any new discoveries of natural gas in the Eastern Mediterranean. "In the future, it will be possible to transport Mediterranean gas to Turkey and Europe through the TRNC with a reverse flow system," he added.
Turkey includes Cyprus in its plans, but not the Cyprus problem
The return to the region of the personal envoy of the UN Secretary-General, Maria Angela Olgin, unlocks the efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem, which had been frozen. And the processes were, to a large extent, frozen as it is known, Ms. Olgin, agreeing with the Turkish side, invoked the fact that in the first half of 2026 she is holding the Presidency of the EU, the parliamentary elections (which took place last Sunday) and the relatively recent selection of Mr. Erhurman as the leader of the occupying regime. Everything that Ms. Olgin invoked had put the brakes on any developments, while it is obvious that time was lost.
The International Organization official has been instructed by Antonio Guterres to explore, during her trip, the possibility of holding a new informal Five-Party Conference on the Cyprus problem, before the completion of the Secretary-General's term this year. The leaked time was used to maintain the discussions and this was done through the two negotiators. The latter had undertaken to implement what President Christodoulidis and the occupying leader, Tufan Erhurman, agreed to during their last meeting. Based on what was agreed, the formation of a Civil Society Advisory Body is being launched, the creation of a coordination committee for foot-and-mouth disease, while halloumi is in the equation.
Steps have been taken, but not enough to consider that progress has been made. Ms. Olgin insisted that "the opening of even one barricade" should be announced. This so far does not seem feasible to do as the occupying side is putting up obstacles.
The Secretary-General's goal is to agree on a negotiating framework in an informal Five-Party Conference, which will constitute an evolution of what he submitted in Crans Montana. He has discussed this scenario during his visit to Turkey and despite what Erdogan and Fidan told him, Mr. Guterres is moving forward with his plans.
Diplomatic sources say that the descent of the Secretary General's Personal Envoy is a step towards the Pentalateral, however, what is happening in the wider region must also be taken into account. And this in relation to the general behavior of occupying Turkey.
Ankara, with its well-known tactic of tension, but also of highlighting its military power, is trying to impose its presence. And it is obvious that while it includes Cyprus in its plans, however, it does not consider the Cyprus problem a priority. It treats Cyprus as part of its plan and its moves in Syria, Libya and its aspirations in relation to the data regarding Iran.
Not now, but in the past, Turkey treated the Cyprus problem as a piece of the puzzle of Ankara's strategic aspirations in the region. That is why he does not want balances to be affected by any developments.
