Greece, Cyprus and Egypt warn Turkey over the tension in the Mediterranean

Athens: – Greece, Cyprus and Egypt have issued a fresh warning to Turkey over the tension in the Mediterranean Sea. All three countries have warned that Turkey should not interfere in matters about Cyprus beyond the scope of the UN resolutions and international laws. Turkey has decided to reopen the disputed parts of Northern Cyprus. Besides, a few months ago, Turkish President Recep Erdogan even visited the region. Strong reactions have emerged from the international community over the Turkish actions. The meeting between Greece, Cyprus and Egypt is also a part of the same reactions. Earlier, Greece and Cyprus had held a meeting with Jordan and indicated opening a new front against Turkey.

Various surveys conducted in the last few years have revealed that the Mediterranean region has large fuel reserves. Last year, Turkey initiated aggressive moves to seize the maximum share of these reserves. Turkey has begun asserting its right to this fuel in the Mediterranean region of Greece and Cyprus. In August and even after that, Turkey carried out successive expeditions into the Mediterranean, sending research ships and warships. Greece had stepped up its defence deployment in the Mediterranean, objecting to the Turkish actions.

At the same time, Greece, on the other hand, has taken swift steps to build an international front against Turkey’s actions. Over the past year, the Greek government has also focused on strengthening strategic cooperation with France, the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Egypt. The tripartite meeting with Egypt is considered an important milestone in the efforts. The meeting in Athens is a sign that these efforts are bearing fruits.

The concerned countries informed that this is the ninth meeting between the three countries. The meeting finalized an agreement to connect Egypt’s energy network to Greece and Cyprus. This is believed to have paved the way for the supply of fuel from Egypt to Europe.

In 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus and occupied parts of it. To commemorate the campaign, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited the Turkish part of Cyprus in July. The visit signalled the resumption of the controversial Ghost Town Varosha in Cyprus. It is said that the Turkish authorities have started movements for this. Greece and Cyprus, upset by the Turkish move, have launched an effort to pressure Turkey through the international community.