Erdogan, pirate of the Aegean and Mediterranean Sea: EU pressure to impose sanctions

The de facto de-escalation or sanctions is the message that the European Union is sending to Ankara calling for an end to the challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the next two to three weeks are seen as particularly critical to the outcome of events in the region and the diplomatic background.

The final straw for Europeans was the barrage of inflammatory statements from the Turkish leadership, which continues at an unusually rapid pace, culminating in the unprecedented insults that Erdogan unleashed on Sunday against the Greek prime minister and the French prime minister.

Turkey, despite the mediation of Chancellor Angela Merkel, not only does not seem to be coordinating and contributing to the de-escalation of tension, on the contrary, literally following the maximalist aspirations of its leader and his ministers, it does not hesitate to point the finger. once again. , capturing in the best way that either you have chosen a path of no return or it is all part of an oriental bazaar that you know well.

In this context, it does not even hesitate to draw hasty conclusions and adopt non-existent complaints about the transfer of the military to Kastelorizo, trying to hold responsibility in the event of the failure of the talks in our country. Something he did in the previous period, using the Greco-Egyptian SEZ agreement as a pretext for not sitting at the negotiating table.

However, the goal of the Europeans, who in recent days seem much more active and with direct reflections to the Turkish challenges, is to be prudent on the part of Turkey, to stop the war games and to announce a date for the start of contacts explorations between Greece and Turkey before. on September 24 and 25 when the Summit meets. If there is no de-escalation and a willingness to dialogue by then, the sanctions on the table, which will damage the Turkish economy, are the only path for the “27”.

Athens has declared that it will not accept any illegal acts committed by Ankara and then sit at the dialogue table and continues to move actively so as not to lose the positive momentum of recent diplomatic successes.

Until the summit, however, another show of power from France could not go unnoticed, and at the same time a message to Ankara, with the return of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the Eastern Mediterranean, accompanied by an unknown number of warships and submarines. French. A novelty that comes a few days after Emmanuel Macron’s statements that “Turkey only understands through actions.”

Erdogan unrepentant and new NAVTEX

The “sultan”, however, at this stage seems unrepentant. Through Mevlüt Çavuşo Τlu, he threatens to extend the search for 90 days in the Eastern Mediterranean, although he avoids demarcating the maritime areas, while launching personal attacks against Mitsotakis and Makron.

He does not hesitate to use war jokes to try to make himself heard within his country. Erdogan threatened the “enemies” (Greece, France) that Turkey would respond by land, air and sea. “Let’s see how the Greek people will react when what comes to their mind falls into their heads, because of their incompetent and ambitious leaders,” he said. “Let’s see how the French people will react to what will happen to them due to their incompetent and ambitious leaders,” he added.

In fact, on Monday night, in a speech in Kerasounta, he further intensified the tension that exists in the Eastern Mediterranean, speaking of piracy and theft in the Aegean and Mediterranean.

More specifically, according to Anadolu, the Turkish president stated that “our country has the largest coastline and no one will be able to catch it in the Gulf of Antalya.” He also stressed that Turkey will not allow piracy and theft in the Mediterranean and Aegean.

Regarding Oruc Reis, he said that he is determinedly continuing his seismic research activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and expressed the hope of receiving more good news.

In this context, Turkey launched a new Navtex late at night to conduct seismic surveys within the Greek continental shelf, south of Kastelorizo.

The new announcement to seafarers, about the research vessel Oruc Reis and the accompanying vessels Ataman and Cengiz Han, is valid until 12 September.

EU deadline and a strict message

At the diplomatic level, the mobility that has been present in recent hours is intense, as a result of the inflammatory Turkish statements.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy had a telephone conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoλουlu on Sunday evening. According to a Commission spokesman, Josep Borrell informed the Turkish minister on Friday about the decisions of the foreign ministers for the Eastern Mediterranean and Turkey.

For a month in Turkey to alleviate the situation. Otherwise, the leaders who will meet at the summit on September 24 are expected to decide on a series of sanctions against Ankara, which will even lead to economic sanctions, something that President Erdogan is avoiding.

However, it is considered certain that Josep Borel will pressure Mevlüt Çavuşoλουlu to resume the dialogue, something that the Commission, Berlin and the other capitals enthusiastically want.

The tense situation continues to worry Brussels, which is watching closely and pressing with all its might. A spokesman for the European Commission said: “The EU hopes that Turkey will find a peaceful solution to the tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, as Ankara’s actions are of concern throughout the EU.”

He also called on Turkey to engage in dialogue rather than unilateral actions that escalate tensions.

Michel – Merkel meeting and communication Dendia – Borrell

At the same time, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, met with Angela Merkel in Berlin to discuss, among other things, the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean.

In particular, the President of the European Council said on Twitter: “Back in Berlin with Angela Merkel to discuss the path to stronger European action. Europe must emerge from current challenges with confidence and determination to renew our economies and reduce the effects. COVID-19. Europe needs to strengthen its role on the world stage to promote its values ​​and interests. We also discussed the situation in Belarus, the Eastern Mediterranean, Africa and China. ”

Back in Berlin with Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss the way forward for stronger European action.

the #ME We must face today’s challenges with confidence and determination: successfully revive our economies and roll back the effects of # COVID-19 pic.twitter.com/hubghSPRKy

– Charles Michel (@eucopresident) August 31, 2020

For his part, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias had a telephone conversation with the High Representative of the European Commission for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell.

The conversation followed an informal meeting of the Council on Foreign Affairs (Gymnich) last week in Berlin that focused on the situation in the eastern Mediterranean.

France is taking action

However, as long as the European Union maintains a waiting attitude towards Turkey, Paris is showing its teeth and revitalizing the fleet in the Eastern Mediterranean region, putting into practice Emanuel Macron’s harsh statements against Ankara.

In particular, the flagship of the French fleet, the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle accompanied by an unknown number of French navy ships and submarines, is expected to sail directly to the Eastern Mediterranean, according to French media reports cited by the corresponding ministry. .

The “jewel” in the French navy’s crown arrives in the Mediterranean on an “unspecified mission,” reportedly like the French lemarin.ouest-france.fr.

As France’s most important strategic weapon, no further details have been announced for security reasons, but military analysts note that the departure from the port of Toulon is carried out by an aircraft carrier in “combat readiness”, that is, with a load of complete war including various fighters. Rafale aircraft, flying radar and strategic missiles with maximum range, antisubmarine arsenal as well as advanced electronic tracking, targeting and electronic interference systems developed by the French war industry with the special feature.

French Chancellor Jean-Yves Le Drian also sent a clear message of support to Athens in front of his German counterpart, noting that Turkey’s violation of the European country’s maritime space is “absolutely unacceptable,” while characteristically highlighting: “It would be a serious mistake to leave our security in the Mediterranean in the hands of others.”

“Europe is at a crossroads, in an increasingly tough world that is reconstituting itself, under the influence of clear power struggles and the systematic dismantling of multilateral frameworks. Europe must finally leave behind the age of innocence and innocence and shape its own destiny. “Otherwise, other forces will shape it.”

“It is the great revelation of 2020. This year has dispelled some illusions: now we are forced to act. This awareness has already taken place or is taking place now.” All Europeans must participate in an ambitious project, “he said, highlighting the importance of defending European security and understanding our strategic environment.

The French minister referred to the events of August, which were – as he stressed – dense, “perhaps even to an excessive degree.” “When one of us is faced with a policy of realization, an aggressive and unjustified policy, we must respond collectively, because it is a threat to the sovereignty and interests of the Union,” he said, referring to the Eastern Mediterranean and Turkey. maritime space of an EU Member State “.

“The EU is ready for dialogue.” But it is also ready to express itself unequivocally, through sanctions, if deemed necessary, “he said, adding that this was decided at the informal meeting of foreign ministers in Berlin. last week.

“We are mobilizing all available diplomatic and operational means, with the aim of creating conditions that allow a constructive dialogue with Ankara. Here too there is a convergence of views between President Macron and Chancellor Merkel, namely between France and Germany. “Our goal is permanent and twofold: stability and sovereignty,” Le Drian said.