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The “Financial Times” is trying to analyze the dangerous tensions and the risk of conflict that are ignited in the eastern Mediterranean by Turkey’s rivalries with Greece and other neighboring countries, as well as the role of the indirect war in Libya and the EU position -EE. USA
The lengthy article refers to the long-standing dispute between Turkey and Greece over the maritime border and the right of the Greek islands to produce EEZs, which is disputed by Ankara, whose position, however, is “complicated by its refusal to sign the UN treaty The Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) “, which is normally used to resolve such disputes. The “FTs” even refer to the history of the Greek-Turkish conflict in Cyprus, the Turkish invasion of the continent in 1974 and the creation of the Turkish Cypriot “state”, which is not recognized by the international community, as well as accusations of Ankara that the Greek Cypriot Party has no right to cede plots for hydrocarbon exploration to international companies, until the profits are shared with the Turkish Cypriots, whose protector it declares. On the other hand, that the coast of Turkey in the south gives it rights to the maritime zone off Cyprus.
How the discovery of large deposits in the Eastern Mediterranean complicated the situation
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The article recalls how the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean was complicated by the discovery of large deposits, such as the Zohr off Egypt five years ago, the Leviathan in 2010, those of Cyprus in 2011 and those of ENI, Total and ExxonMobil in the last three years.
He also noted that so far no deposits have been confirmed in the areas where Turkey drills, as most discoveries so far have been made in the southeastern part of the region, near Egypt, Israel and the coast. southern Cyprus.
The isolation of Turkey
According to FT, some “unexpected” alliances were forged with the location of the deposits, such as the EastMed Gas Forum with the participation of Egypt, Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Greece, Cyprus and Italy, which aims to turn it into a major energy hub. France aspires to membership and the United States wishes to become a permanent observer.
These developments “They have left Turkey isolated by the tensions it has caused with many members, including Greece and Egypt, although this Forum has managed to create common ground between Israel and its neighbors. “Turkey’s Foreign Ministry called the Forum an ‘unrealistic formation’ in January, accusing it of seeking its exclusion.”
The role of the indirect civil war in Libya in the tension in the eastern Mediterranean
The article’s authors, David Shepard, Laura Pittel and Michael Peel, even emphasize the role played by Libya’s proxy war in escalating tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, with Turkey providing support to its internationally recognized government. Fagez al saraj Tripoli, Russia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and France to support each other. Caliph Haftar.
They recall the agreements signed between Turkey and Saraj last November, on the one hand for Ankara to provide military assistance to its government, aid that has since tipped the plate in its favor in the civil war, and on the other to demarcate the border between Turkey and Libya. , sparking angry reactions in Greece and complicating plans for the future construction of a gas pipeline from Cyprus to Greece and from there to Europe.
With Turkey’s growing influence in Libya, countries like the United Arab Emirates and France have taken a bigger role in the fight against the eastern Mediterranean, sending forces for joint military exercises with Greece and Cyprus in a show of force against Ankara.
The movements of the great powers
The article points to the stalled start of talks in NATO to reduce tensions and avoid a conflict between two partners after Greece’s refusal to participate while Turkey maintains naval forces in the disputed waters.
The United States has called for a diplomatic solution, but is largely absent from efforts to reduce tensions, a burden that has fallen on the European Union. Most EU members are in favor of dialogue, seeing Turkey as an important partner for the economy and refugees, but also for security in the Middle East.
The past two months, Germany launched a mediation effort, but stopped after the signing of the Greece-Egypt agreement on the delimitation of the EEZ, which angered Ankara. However, Greece and Cyprus are demanding a tough EU stance on Turkey and sanctions, with France increasingly on their side, due to their own disagreements with Ankara, especially over Libya. But other countries also feel compelled to take a tougher line with Turkey if it drills, though there is little evidence so far of broad support for major economic sanctions against Turkey, the FT article concludes.
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