Turkish
President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s
historic visit to Greece on December 7, the first such visit in 65 years by
Turkish President, has reconfirmed diverging views between Athens and Ankara on
issues concerning the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Cyprus and exploration for
hydrocarbons while both countries remain partners in boosting EU energy
security through the Southern Gas Corridor that will transport Caspian gas
supplies to Europe, reducing reliance on Russia.
Constantinos Filis
, director of research at Institute of
International Relations, told New Europe in Athens on December 8 that the Trans
Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) is the only project that involves both countries which
has a good prospect to be realised.
“Turkish Stream, especially as Nord Stream-2
develops – despite the objections by a number of players – has few chances to
reach European soil, as things stand right now. As for the Eastern
Mediterranean, for the time being Greece and Turkey are in opposite sides;
their interests diverge, as they both seek to secure the transportation of
regional hydrocarbons, supporting different routes,” Filis said.
“I do not
see how their interests can converge, given Ankara’s rhetoric and actions. The
only option for Greece and Turkey to coincide is through a project that will
connect Eastern Mediterranean reserves through Turkey and Greece with the
European market. But given Turkey’s maximalism and its attempts to undermine
Cyprus’ right to exploit its hydrocarbons, expectations cannot but be low,” the
director of research at Institute of International Relations explained.
Cyprus
Natural Hydrocarbons Company CEO
Charles
Ellinas told New Europe on December 8 that even though Greece-Turkey energy
cooperation is strong in quite a few areas, the two countries still have major
differences with regards to agreeing Exclusive Economic Zone boundaries.
“This was
clear from Erdogan’s visit to Athens. This also has an impact on Cyprus,”
Ellinas said, adding that Turkey has not ratified UNCLOS, the United Nations
law of the seas, and, in addition to not recognising Cyprus, it is disputing
Cyprus’ rights to an EEZ and its offshore hydrocarbon deposits. “In effect,
Turkey claims that its continental shelf has precedence and that islands, such
as Cyprus, are not entitled to full EEZs. It claims that the capacity of
islands to generate maritime zones should be limited in competition with the
continental coastal states. Turkey uses similar arguments in its dispute with
Greece,” Ellinas said.
However,
Italian energy major ENI has investigated in detail and has substantiated the
legitimacy of Cyprus’ rights to its EEZ, both on the basis of UNCLOS and other
relevant international conventions and agreements, he said. On this basis ENI
and French energy major Total are fully satisfied about their rights to explore
and exploit their licensed blocks, which they won legitimately through
international competition, Ellinas said, reminding that Italy and France
support this and made their positions clearly known during recent visits to
Cyprus by their Defence Ministers. In addition, Cyprus rights to its EEZ are
recognised by the EU, the US and the international community, he said.
“Erdogan’s
visit to Athens will not lead to resolution of their EEZ dispute. If anything
he has reconfirmed it, by bringing up the Treaty of Lausanne and saying that it
needs to be updated on the issues concerning the relations between Greece and
Turkey,” Ellinas said. “This has implications on the boundaries between the two
countries, including EEZ delineation, in the Aegean and the islands. Greece of course
rejects this,” he added.
“One hopes
that with time these issues will be resolved amicably, without opening up new
fronts by disputing international treaties, and if they are resolved Cyprus
will also benefit, especially if in the meanwhile there is also a solution of
the Cyprus problem,” Ellinas said, adding that it is hoped that the agreed
confidence-building measures can be helpful in steering Greek-Turkish relations
in the right direction.
https://www.neweurope.eu/article/exception-tap-erdogans-visit-greece-reconfirms-diverging-energy-interests/