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The moment the Anchor follow the path of challenges, with the Oruc Reis Sailing south of Kastelorizo with clear goals, Athens clarifies that this path not only does not lead, but also removes from the dialogue table.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during his meeting with German Foreign Minister Haiko Maas stressed that under these circumstances obviously and no dialogue can take place.
“We had agreed with Turkey exploratory contacts. But instead of a date, we have the Oruc Reis within the Greek continental shelf. Obviously, we are not talking in these circumstances. We offered Turkey a clear option at the last summit: Ή a partnership renewed or consequences if the challenge continues. “Turkey has chosen the second path,” Mr. Mitsotakis stressed.
The Prime Minister also clarified that intends to raise the issue of Turkish provocations at the EU Summit on Thursday and Friday, although the issue is not on the Council’s agenda.
For his part, Haiko Maas pointed out that “What we saw with the opening of Varos and Oruc Reis, completely contradicts the agreement”. Although he insisted on dialogue, he expressed understanding for Greece’s position and also expressed the his intense annoyance at Turkish manipulations.
After all, it wasn’t long ago that Berlin had received assurances from Tayyip Erdogan that the Oruc Reis and other vessels would be withdrawn from the eastern Mediterranean, to pave the way for Greek-Turkish exploratory contacts.
Since his return Oruc Reis In the Mediterranean, the German diplomatic initiative seems “hollow”, without objections.
At the same time, not only the Oruc Reis is on the Greek continental shelf, but also the other Turkish seismic research vessel, the Barbarossa, is located within the Cypriot EEZ, southwest of Megalonysos.
The messages to Ankara, however, come from across the Atlantic. The State Department in a double message to Turkey asked for an end to provocations both in relation to the trip of Oruc Reis and the Eastern Mediterranean, as in the case of Varos.
Turkey, however, is not the interlocutor who will listen and respond to the pressure, but to the turmoil in the region. According to CNN Turk, the representative of the ruling AKP party in Turkey, Omer Celik, said: “It seems that all the statements from various countries after the resumption of operations of Oruc Reis were written by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. can achieve anything through intimidation and coercion If we oppose a force that does not appreciate diplomatic efforts and with constant threats attempts to violate the rights and interests of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, then we are ready to respond both at the negotiating table and in the field [της μάχης]».
by Varosia opening, the AKP representative commented that there is no unfair treatment. “We supported the TRNC, they made the right decision. This area belongs to the Turkish Cypriots.” No one has the right to intervene. “
Because Turkey chooses the challenges
Analysts believe that Ankara is choosing the path of challenges for many reasons and they do not consider it a coincidence that the decisions on Varos and NAVTEX in Oruc Reis are implemented only 24 hours before an EU Summit.
They therefore consider that Ankara considers that it is missing the opportunity for an expanded dialogue with Greece, beyond the maritime zones and is trying to bring a few more of his claims to the table, such as the demilitarization of the islands and the stop to the expansion of territorial waters at 12 o’clock.
At the same time, the tension in the Eastern Mediterranean is an outlet to other “hot” fronts, such as the Nagorno Karabakh, Syria, Lebanon, where Russia has the “advantage”.
Further, internal problems with its collapsing economy, is a factor that puts a lot of pressure on the Turkish government.
In this context, Ankara considers that it has “Window of opportunity” until January, as it takes advantage of the US elections and the fact that the European Union has given until December to impose (the) sanctions.
