Ankara in a trouble…”Egyptian-Greek” agreement destroys “Erdogan’s dreams”

Mustafa Kamel

Concerns on the Turkish side increased, following the “Greek-Cypriot” talks on the exclusive economic zone in the western Mediterranean, as well as the agreement between Cairo and Athens, which shattered Turkey’s plans and curbed its ambitions in the Mediterranean.

Following the agreement between Athens and Nicosia on the exclusive economic zone in the western Mediterranean, Ankara’s concerns are close to realization at the end of this August and the beginning of next September, as Nikos Christodoulides, the Foreign Minister of Cyprus, confirmed that the issue of defining the maritime borders between Greece and Cyprus is on the agenda of the Union’s discussions. To which European countries belong, and when necessary relevant declarations will be issued.

It is expected that the Greek parliament, immediately after returning to activity after the summer vacation on August 24, will approve the agreement on the exclusive economic zone with Egypt, after presenting it with the procedures stipulated for discussion in the relevant committee and then voting in the plenary session, which is expected to be completed by Next September 4.

Ankara found itself motivated to activate European mediation, hoping to help it get out of the current impasse, as Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that his country had agreed in principle to a Swiss offer to mediate in resolving the conflict with Athens in the eastern Mediterranean, coinciding with the attempts of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan persuaded German Chancellor Angela Merkel to intervene to bridge the gap between the parties to the conflict.

Observers point out that the Turkish regime found itself unable to impose its will on the countries of the region, especially after the signing of the “Egyptian-Greek” agreement that practically overthrew the agreement of “Erdogan” with the head of the Libyan government of reconciliation, Fayez Al-Sarraj, on the exclusive economic zone.

On the other hand, fears escalated that the confrontation between the Greek and Turkish fleets over exploration rights for oil and gas in the eastern Mediterranean would turn into an armed clash when a collision accident was found between two Greek and Turkish frigates; The Greek newspaper, Kathimerini, said that the Greek frigate known as “Limnos” collided with the Turkish “Kemal Reis” while escorting the ship “Aruj Reis” for seismic survey work, pointing out that the Turkish ship was severely damaged.

French President Emmanuel Macron revealed that his country has strengthened its military presence in the eastern Mediterranean, and called on Turkey to stop unilateral exploration activities and enter into direct dialogue with Greece.

Two French fighter planes and a naval frigate conducted joint military exercises with Greece off the island of Crete; With the aim of strengthening the independent assessment of the situation and affirming France’s commitment to freedom of movement, safety of maritime navigation in the Mediterranean and respect for international law.

On the other hand, the Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, sent letters to the European Union foreign ministers and the foreign policy coordinator, Joseph Borrell, regarding the recent developments in the Eastern Mediterranean; “Jawish” accused Greece of taking measures against his country’s interests, saying that the maritime boundary agreement signed between Greece and Egypt showed Athens’ reluctance to initiate a sincere dialogue with Ankara, according to the Turkish “Anatolia” agency.

At the same time, US Senator Robert Menendez urged his country’s foreign minister, Mike Pompeo, to cooperate with the European Union to halt Turkish exploration efforts in the eastern Mediterranean, and Menendez pointed out that the United States and the European Union should put in place an immediate plan for comprehensive joint sanctions that will be imposed. On major sectors of the Turkish economy if Ankara continues to take illegal measures in the eastern Mediterranean and refuses to solve this issue through an impartial international court, while Jonathan Rath Hoffman, a spokesman for the US Defense Department, expressed his concern about some of the incidents that occurred in the Mediterranean, pointing to Tensions need to be reduced for the time being, and that both parties to the conflict must work together to find solutions that do not involve the presence of warships or the deployment of aircraft.