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The European Union and Turkey are arguing over access to the vast natural gas reserves in the Mediterranean Sea around Cyprus.
Turkey announced the possibility of a new military conflict amid a dispute with Greece over a gas field in the Mediterranean. The European Union calls on Ankara to refrain from provoking provocations and is preparing a package of tough sectoral sanctions. Correspondent.net says the details.
Military escalation is real
For several years, Ankara has periodically explored deposits in the offshore section, which Greece and Cyprus consider part of their exclusive economic zones.
In 2009, a large oil and gas field was found off the southern coast of Cyprus. It is estimated that it can cover four percent of gas demand in the European market.
In January 2019, representatives from Egypt, Cyprus, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan and Palestine announced the formation of the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum, based in Cairo.
Left overboard, Turkey and Libya signed a memorandum of understanding on the delimitation of maritime zones in November of the same year, which will allow Ankara to carry out drilling operations for oil and natural gas.
The offshore development of France’s Total and Italy’s Eni has sparked protests from Turkey, and has sent its geological exploration vessels and warships to the disputed area to intimidate drilling rig ships owned by international oil companies.
The parties then exchanged only strong and caustic statements. However, in mid-August, Turkey again dispatched a scouting ship accompanied by a navy to the disputed area near Cyprus. This time, Greece brought its armed forces to alert and sent its warships.
Soon, Greece’s allies sent planes and navy to the region for military exercises.
Now the conflict is fueling a regional power game, in which even the Persian Gulf countries have engaged. The situation seriously worries the EU and the United States.
Turkey’s gas dispute with the European Union
In July, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, after speaking in Athens with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias, urged Turkey to stop drilling in the Cyprus economic zone and not start similar work near the Greek islands. .
He pointed out that the European Union considers it necessary to establish a dialogue with Turkey, since it is a country of strategic importance, “both within the framework of NATO and on migration issues.” However, she noted that sanctions are being discussed.
On August 28, the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, said that the European Union would accelerate the development of sanctions against Turkey for drilling in the eastern Mediterranean.
He noted that the EU intends to give the opportunity to dialogue with Turkey on this issue, but in case of failure before September 24, it will prepare additional measures against Ankara. And we are talking not only about personal sanctions, but also about the industry.
“There is growing disappointment in the EU with Turkey’s behavior,” Borrell told a news conference after an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Berlin.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, August 27, the Greek parliament ratified an agreement with Egypt on the delimitation of maritime zones in the Mediterranean. The treaty gives Athens the right to a part of the marine platform, which Ankara considers as its own.
However, Turkey intends to continue exploration of gas fields in the disputed areas. Ankara will also begin its own military exercises in the Mediterranean next month.
Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said in an interview with Anadolu on August 29 that Ankara will take all necessary measures to prevent the expansion of Greek territorial waters in the Ionian Sea.
“Greece’s attempts to expand its territorial waters from six to 12 nautical miles will not be recognized by Ankara. This step could cause a military conflict,” Oktay said.
The risk of a military escalation in today’s environment is quite real, said Nigar Heksel, a Turkey analyst at International Crisis Group.
“Turkey believes that Greece and the Republic of Cyprus, with the support of the EU and Ankara’s opponents, are trying to take over the Eastern Mediterranean by pushing Turkey out of there. [Анкара] regards military threats as an opportunity to bring Greece to the negotiating table, “the RBC quote. He noted that Turkey is determined.
At the same time, the first sanctions against Turkey due to its drilling activities were adopted by the European Union last summer: then it was about reducing financial and credit assistance, as well as cutting negotiations on some issues.
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