Greece and Turkey have promised to work towards “normal relations” and talks “in a calm tone” since last year's earthquake, but the lack of agreement on “what belongs to whom” in the Mediterranean Sea is causing strong tensions, says professor Panagiotis Cakonas, an expert from the Greek think tank Eliamep.
For several years now, the most controversial issue dividing Athens and Ankara has been the so-called delimitation, i.e. establishing the course of the boundaries of exclusive economic zones in the Mediterranean Sea.
At the end of July, another tension between Greece and Turkey occurred in the eastern Mediterranean. An Italian ship was conducting research near the Greek island of Kasos in preparation for laying cables between Crete, Cyprus and Israel. In the vicinity of the ship, which was not only in Greek territorial waters but also in the open sea, Türkiye sent three warships to observe. The Greek navy also sent units to the area.
As reported by eKathimerini, thanks to diplomatic actions, it was possible to avoid an escalation of the situation, the Italian ship completed the task and returned to Crete accompanied by a Greek Navy ship.
– This is due to the lack of agreement between Greece and Turkey over what belongs to whom – emphasizes a professor at the University of Athens, an expert from the Eliamep analytical center.
Greece island of KasosShutterstock
“Countries belonging to NATO, unfortunately being adversaries”
As Professor Cakonas points out, the Italian vessel found itself in a part of the open sea which, according to Athens, belongs to the exclusive economic zone established on the basis of an agreement between Greece and Egyptwhich Ankara does not recognize. The agreement was a response to a memorandum between Turkey and Libya on the delimitation of the exclusive economic zone, which is not recognized as binding internationally.
– So we see two countries in the Eastern Mediterranean area, belonging to FOR THISunfortunately they are opponents, between whom there is no agreement on the delimitation of exclusive economic zones or claims regarding sovereign rights in this area – explains the expert.
Greece island of KasosShutterstock
Earthquake brings Greece and Turkey closer together
At the same time, however, he points out that this event does not represent a serious escalation due to the “new context” of relations between the two countries, which began in 2023, when Greece supported Turkey after the tragic earthquakes. Both countries – each with its own interests – agreed that they would try to maintain “normal relations, in a calm tone”.
As the expert adds, the “new era” of relations involves sending each other signals that confirm that their positions on a given issue have not changed and are still divergent. This is how the countries conduct their dispute. – And that is exactly what happened near Kasos – he emphasizes.
He points out that such incidents and sending of similar “signals” will continue to occur between the two countries until the issue of establishing borders in this part of the sea is resolved. – It is an exchange of messages, which is at the same time a dangerous game – he assesses.
He does not rule out that as a result of accident or error, a serious escalation could occur between the parties, which, he warned, would have “tragic consequences” for stability in the region, for NATO's southern flank. – USA and the West would not like this to happen, especially when there is an open front in the north, after the Russian attack on Ukraine – he states.
Referring to the upcoming presidential elections in the USA, the professor does not rule out that if he wins Donald Trump he may change the policy towards the countries of the region and the EU. According to him, Trump's priority may be China, at the expense of, among other things, efforts to ensure stability in the Mediterranean region.
Main image source: Shutterstock