Turkey spirals out of control before exploratory talks, threatening incident in Eastern Mediterranean

Ankara is threatening with an incident in the Eastern Mediterranean, just 24 hours before the continuation of the exploratory contacts with Greece.

Through a statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry (the second in a day), Ankara – which is with its back to the wall after it was left hanging by Germany – has launched threats against Greece and Cyprus, while at the same time addressing recommendations to “third parties” not to become subordinates of Athens and Nicosia with a clear allusion to the Greek-French agreement, without of course naming Paris.

The neighboring country is trying to place in advance to pin the responsibility for the tension that… predicts will be created in the region, on Greece and Cyprus, demanding the cancellation of legal activities in the Cyprus EEZ.

The new Turkish reaction is triggered by the research of the Nautical Geo vessel, which has been leased by the Poseidon consortium and its work is part of the route that will be followed by the East Med pipeline. With Cypriot NAVTEX, Nautical Geo will conduct investigations in an area disputed by Turkey, which is trying to usurp it, “christening” it unilaterally as a Turkish continental shelf.

At the same time, in its announcement, the Turkish Foreign Minister raises the issue of the new drillings planned for November in the Cypriot EEZ by EXXON MOBIL, talking about unilateral actions that “will increase tensions and threaten peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.” .

Ankara declares in a threatening tone that “the necessary steps are being taken against the unilateral actions” of Greece and the “Greek Cypriot Administration” and warns “third countries not to become an instrument of these actions”, apparently meaning France after the conclusion of a strategic agreement with Greece.

The announcement of the Turkish Foreign Minister in detail

“As known, the main cause of the tension in the Eastern Mediterranean in recent years has been Greece’s and Greek Cypriot Administration’s (GCA) maximalist maritime jurisdiction area claims and unilateral acts that ignore Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ (TRNC) rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean.

H.E. President Erdogan proposed the EU to convene an inclusive conference in the Eastern Mediterranean last year, and the TRNC, the co-owner of the island, made a detailed proposal to the Greek Cypriot side on 13 July 2019 regarding hydrocarbon resources.

Despite the fact that all these proposals are on the table, Greece and the GCA have been attempting to engage in unilateral and provocative activities in recent months by increasing the tension in the Eastern Mediterranean.

In addition to Greece’s recent attempts to violate our continental shelf in the East-Med recently, the GCA has also announced that it will launch a research activity on 3 October with an Italian-owned, Maltese-flagged ship in the region, breaching both TRNC’s rights and violating Turkey’s continental shelf. Besides, GCA has announced that it will commence a new drilling operation in the south of the Island in November.

All these unilateral acts will increase tension in the East-Med and threaten peace and stability.

All necessary steps are being taken against these unilateral acts of Greece and GCA both on the ground and at the table. Also, it is being brought to the attention of third countries that they should not be part of these unilateral acts.

We will resolutely continue to protect our country’s and TRNC’s rights in the East-Med.”

Gerapetritis: Prepared for any eventuality

Speaking about the reactions provoked in Turkey by the Greek-French agreement, the Minister of State, Giorgos Gerapetritis, claimed that “it was obvious that there would be a reaction from Turkey”, describing it as “measured and numb”.

“I think Turkey is in a position that is trying to recover from diplomatic developments. Erdogan does not take kindly to the diplomatic initiatives taken by Greece. It is in the interest of both Turkey and Greece not to have tensions “, he noted, adding that we are starting the discussions and we want the dialogue with only one condition and acceptance: International law.

“I do not want to believe that we are going to a new crisis,” he stressed, however, stating that Greece “in any case is better prepared than ever for any eventuality.”