Turkey is preparing to submit a bill to parliament to claim maritime jurisdiction over disputed areas of the Aegean and Mediterranean, specifically in areas with existing and potential natural gas deposits.
The bill, as Bloomberg reports, is Ankara’s first step to consolidate its claims and officially declare ownership of potential natural gas resources, said sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The statement by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s close ally, in which he warned about security and energy cooperation between France, Greece, Cyprus and Israel, is revealing.
“Turkey is not a country that seeks tension,” Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party, told parliament on Wednesday, May 6. “But any move that ignores its rights, maritime jurisdiction or Turkish Cypriots will face a strong response.”
Potential tension with Greece and Cyprus
Turkey’s potential claims could spark renewed tensions with European Union member states Greece and Cyprus. Offshore natural gas reserves off the coast of the Republic of Cyprus are causing tension between Ankara and Nicosia, as the latter officially has sovereignty over the entire island.
US stance
The article mentions the US stance, with Washington urging Greece and Turkey to maintain dialogue to discuss how to address the issue. The EU has previously threatened Turkey with sanctions over its energy exploration in the eastern Mediterranean, in response to calls by Greece and Cyprus to defend their sovereignty.
Cyprus has been essentially divided since Turkey’s military seized the northern third of the island in 1974. The self-proclaimed Turkish Cypriot minority state in the north, recognized only by Ankara, claims any energy resources discovered off the coast.
Greece sees the Turkish action as an invasion, while Turkey sees it as a move to protect Turkish Cypriots. (via source)
PS Good luck with the bill! Turkey can pass as many bills as it wants through its parliament but cannot change geography, illegally consider Greek islands as its own, bypass, EEZ rights, international and maritime laws.
The poor Turks. So confused, so desperate, so ridiculous. Maybe they can get the natural gas from their Russian buddies? I understand that Putin is offering deals.