[ad_1]
Provocative, unrepentant and … talks about aggressive actions against Greece and Cyprus
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent a letter to the leaders of the EU member states, except Greece and Cyprus, intervening in discussions within the Union on Euro-Turkish issues.
The three-page letter, held by the Cypriot newspaper “Phileleftheros”, was sent by Erdogan on the eve of the postponed European Council on September 24.
Ankara operates through the letter, which is carefully drafted, However, presenting his own approach when discussing the issue in the Council, it is clear that the reality is absent, which is the aggressive behavior of the occupying power to the detriment of Greece and Cyprus.
Erdogan develops his well-known narrative about the Eastern Mediterranean, attacking Athens and Nicosia, which he blames for the tension in the Eastern Mediterranean. At the same time, it seems ready to dialogue with Greece, but not with the “late”, as characterized, the Republic of Cyprus while setting two objectives:
- First, the delimitation of areas of maritime jurisdiction, “in accordance with international law and the protection of our sovereign rights and jurisdiction on our continental shelf.”
- Second, the “guarantee of equal rights and interests for Turkish Cypriots in hydrocarbons, as co-owners of the island.”
The Turkish President affirms that the current situation is due to the efforts of the Greek Cypriots to ignore Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots with their unilateral measures since 2003. He affirms in this regard that the “Greek Cypriot administration” (ie the Republic of Cyprus), who became a member of the UE. Before the settlement of the Cyprus issue, it ignored the Turkish Cypriots and signed so-called maritime demarcation agreements with neighboring countries in 2003, 2007 and 2010, announced licenses in 2007, conducted international tenders and carried out its first drilling in 2011.
According to Erdogan, Greece, together with Cyprus, attempted to impose on Turkey its maximalist objectives in relation to maritime jurisdiction, aimed at “imprisoning” Turkey within the Gulf of Antalya (Map of Seville). Using the EU, as Athens and Nicosia argued, “He stated that these are the EU’s national and external maritime borders”. In addition, he blamed Greece and Cyprus for participating in the energy forum, which was created at the initiative of Egypt, as well as for tripartite cooperation.
Arguing that waited seven years before reacting (!), also proceeded to formulate a proposal for natural gas distribution in Cyprus, referring to the unsolicited solution to the Cyprus problem. According to the narrative against Erdogan, Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots should establish a cooperation mechanism that includes a fair distribution of hydrocarbon revenues. “As co-founders of the dissolved Republic of Cyprus and co-owners of the island”. To establish such a cooperation mechanism, we don’t need to wait for the Cyprus problem to be solved, states the Turkish president, explaining why: “Because both parties on the island operate through international oil companies in the respective areas of their defined licenses. Only the two peoples of the island must decide together whether to suspend or continue these activities. “. With this report, he raises the issue of codecision, hinting that the agenda will possibly be the cancellation of the energy program of the Republic of Cyprus.
Then he argues that one must be created inclusive energy cooperation forums in the eastern Mediterranean, including Turkish Cypriots. Turkey, he points out, is ready to give any support to steps in this direction and called on the EU. to support this proposal. If this reference refers, and so it seems, to the idea of regional conferenceSo it is clear that this is the proposal promoted by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel. Ankara does not accept the participation of the Republic of Cyprus, but of the Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, wanting to present himself as a “peacemaker” and a proponent of dialogue, declares in your letter that your country supports a equitable delimitation of maritime jurisdictions in the eastern Mediterranean “in accordance with international law”. To this end, he states, “I would like to emphasize once again that we are ready for a dialogue with Greece without any conditions.” He also referred to NATO’s initiative to reduce escalation, while stating complaints about the EU’s stance against your country. It claims that this attitude contradicts the EU acquis. in international law, complicates the solution, increases tensions and damages Turkey-EU relations, “As well as our common interests in many areas.”
Recep Tayyip Erdogan in his letter, referred to contacts made between Greece and Turkey, at the initiative of the German EU Presidency and spoke of the growing mistrust of Ankara. This is because Athens signed an agreement with Egypt on August 6, 2020. He added that “No one should expect that Turkey, with the largest coastline in the eastern Mediterranean, will limit itself to its territorial waters, while the coastal states of the eastern Mediterranean continue their hydrocarbon programs and activities.” As he stated, the actions against Turkey continue and the Turkish Cypriots are ignored.
Instead of penalties, they want to give gifts.
The German EU Presidency wants to give away a gift basket. to Ankara to ease tensions and improve, as reported, Euro-Turkish relations.
At a time when the issue of sanctions for Turkey’s illegal occupation activities against the Republic of Cyprus is being debated, Both Berlin and Brussels are trying to use bridges to build bridges of cooperation with the occupying power.
In this context, they want to satisfy Ankara’s demands, which have been made by the Turkish side and are welcomed by Germany and the Commission.
Specifically:
- First, improve the Turkey-EU customs union.
- Second, the issue of passports (visas).
- Third, immigration (review of a deal with more money).
As for the second, that is, the one who has the visa, which for Turkish citizens has no prospect of proceeding as there are reactions from the member states. It seems that the German Presidency will fight for the other two.
It is an issue that the Republic of Cyprus will face before the European Council on October 1, among other issues (sanctions).
Source: philenews.com
Δeither all the latest news from Greece and the world, as it happens, on Newsbomb.gr
Read also:
Retrospective: Latest Changes, “Windows” and Surprises (DETAIL TABLES)
