Russia Steps in on Growing Greco-Turkish Tensions in the Mediterranean
Turkish ships surveying in the Eastern Mediterranean . Source.
Tension looms dangerously in the Eastern Mediterranean as many nations weigh in on a growing conflict between Greece and Turkey. The two nations are jockeying over energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean, after Turkish ships entered gas-rich Cypriot waters surveying for drilling opportunities. At the request of the President of Cyprus, Russia has been asked to enter the debate and de-escalate. Most of the EU is split in their approach to the conflict, and the stalemate between Greece and Turkey worsens as strong-arm military standoffs continue in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Turkey defends its actions saying that it has economic zones in the disputed area off the coast and has the right to defend itself. Turkey also states that their exclusive economic zones (EEZ) are warranted as they protect the rights of breakaway Turkish Cypriots on the island of Cyprus. The island of Cyprus is divided into two by the Republic of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus, the latter having a greater affinity for Turkey. Between the two entities is a UN Buffer Zone.
The conflict of today is fueled heavily by recurring conflicts between Greece and Turkey from the past. The spark was lit in 1974 when Turkish forces first invaded Cyprus. Again in 1996 the two nearly engaged in a war over an uninhabited island. Greece has laid claim and has been recognized by the E.U. to have control over the shores of thousands of its islands for drilling. The shores of Cyprus are the primary focus for Turkey’s energy exploration, which are under Cyrpiot and Greek control. Last July, Turkey engaged in similar activities, and were warned by the E.U. against further activity.
Russia’s foreign minister announced September 8 that they are willing to ease the growing tensions in the Mediterranean. Russia insists it will only enter the conflict if the nations involved believe it is necessary and that peaceful discussions are the means to the end. Russia has also stated their primary hesitation for getting involved being that the U.S. has stirred the pot in the Eastern Mediterranean. Russia’s Foreign Minister Lavrov claims this in reference to Washington’s decision to lift an arms-ban that had been in place for around 33 years on Cyprus. The original intent behind the ban was to avoid an arms race on Cyprus, as the nation engaged in discussions of reunification under the United Nations’ supervision.
In response to the accusations, the U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus, Judith Garber, states that the ban lift is not to oppose Turkey, an American ally, but aid Cyprus in combatting aggressive forces. She responds to Russia’s claims, calling Russia a “destabilizing” presence in the conflict.
Now that the conflict has reemerged, the tensions seem worse than before as other nations, including E.U. members and major world powers. Turkey, last November, signed a deal with Libya, granting Turkey control over EEZs from the Turkish southern coast to Libya's north-east coast. This deal was rejected by both Greece and Egypt and is not acknowledged by the E.U. or the United States. Now, Turkey claims to have permission for their movements from a deal with Libya, while most other nations do not even acknowledge the deal.
No military conflicts have arisen yet, but both Greece and Turkey have engaged in military stand-offs as they station military units in opposing waters. Both Germany and France have been readily involved in the conflict. In late August, the Foreign Minister of Germany made visits to both Greece and Turkey attempting to mediate between the nations. France has taken a different approach and has supplied vessels to aid Greece and Cyprus in their military standoffs off the Cypriot coast. France’s defense minister stated that their actions represented their belief that there should be no exceptions to international law. The international law in question being exclusive economic zones that Turkey is encroaching upon. Now, with the recent discovery of gas resources in the Mediterranean, Turkey’s aggressive actions are being met with heavy resistance from Greece, Cyprus, and the efforts of other nations attempting to avoid a military conflict.