Cyprus-Forum.com

[bill cobbett]

Ekathimerini reported a few days ago that Greece has been making changes to its legislation in preparation for an UNCLOS-compliant EEZ.

Greece is reported to also have informed the UN of its position on exploration for hydrocarbons under the UNCLOS provisions.

Naturally, this would lead to CY agreeing the mid-point boundaries of the western part of the CY EEZ that borders the Greek EEZ.

As ever... Turkey is reported as saying that it would "take corresponding steps...

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_ar ... 013_477228

[GreekIslandGirl]

Now we shall see the realisation of the reasons the big powers (Turkey, UK, USA) wanted to isolate Cyprus from Greece.

It is this continuation of sovereign rights over the waters between Greece and Cyprus which would have made the whole soooo much greater than the sum of the parts. Hence why being in the EU is now, as compensation, central to give both Cyprus and Greece that sense of being co-joined. The enosis the visionaries dared to hope for ...

[Me Ed]

I think Kastellorizo is more of a sticking point for Turkey when it comes to it's EEZ.

Turkey doesn't think it fair that Cyprus and Greece should have such a large EEZs in the med in comparison to its own, but as the EEZ are defined as the mid-points, this is political equality in action - political equality sucks doesn't it VP?

I for one am glad that the Cypriot EEZ is separate from that of Greece, as I wouldn't like to see the islands resources being sucked into a fiscal and corrupt black hole in Athens.

[GreekIslandGirl]

Instead you would rather see the money being sucked into a black hole to pay for defences against the big gap left between Greek and Cypriot waters because you "don't feel Greek" when you go on holiday there.

Hopefully those German patriot missiles will deter Turkey from "corresponding steps" - so well done Samaras for chatting to Merkel last week for more EU solidarity. And well done to the Hellenic American Leadership Council for their work with the US Congress to stop Turkey acquiring war-mongering frigates.

http://hellenicleaders.com/blog/h-r-664 ... -congress/

[Me Ed]

Instead you would rather see the money being sucked into a black hole to pay for defences against the big gap left between Greek and Cypriot waters because you "don't feel Greek" when you go on holiday there.

Hopefully those German patriot missiles will deter Turkey from "corresponding steps" - so well done Samaras for chatting to Merkel last week for more EU solidarity.

You're making two rash assuptions there:

1) There is actually anything worth defending in those waters.
2) Had enosis taken place, that the waters would not need to be defended anyway.
3) you are greek.

[GreekIslandGirl]

None of what happened in the last 50 years would have taken place if the British/US had not seen the importance of keeping the gap in Mediterranean waters between Greece and Cyprus. Consequently both Greece and Cyprus would not have been at the mercy of others for defence of something which now needs MORE protection (hence reason for being in the EU and suffering the huge interest rates and austerities of our exploitation) by virtue of not belonging directly, exclusively, to the Hellenic nation (Greece and Cyprus)!

[Maximus]

Turkey doesn't think it fair that Cyprus and Greece should have such a large EEZs in the med in comparison to its own,

I dont think it is fair that Turkey should have so much land in comparison with its neighbors!!!.

[repulsewarrior]

...geographically speaking, had Cyprus been joined to Greece, the power balance would have been between Greece and Turkey, divided equally in hostile military actions.

with Cyprus a State, Greece and Turkey remained powerful adversaries, however this shift in power allowed for a European (then:(read:British)) influence, much like a fulcrum over both. in effect, Britain's inaction against Greece's (Junta) horrible coup allowed Turkey to become the principal naval power in that region of the Med, as well as leaving the Cyprus Republic as a result, until its membership in the EU, almost completely impotent as a Sovereign power over the decisions that could be made within its own territory, or with its other neighbours.

...it is better if Cyprus does not become a part of Greece, or Turkey, ever. neither have shown the credibility that make it the best choice for all of Humanity as well, peace-wise, Britain clearly is just as guilty when it comes to motives although Cypriots did gain a Rule of Law from them which has resulted in their influence as a body of People independent and self-representing as a Country.

[GreekIslandGirl]

Cyprus is already joined with Greece within the EU and it is these Greece-Cyprus connecting, EU sea boundaries which are now the focus.

So, why don't we start showing some solidarity with our fellow EU member and, without doubt, closest ally, instead of following the divisive paths which left us unguarded to the common enemy (Turkey)!

[Me Ed]

So why be a small minded Greek wannabe when you can be a bigger minded european?

An attack by Turkey on Cyprus' and Greece's EEZ boundary will be seen as an attack on EU interests and with 25 other EU member states (26 from 1 July), Turkey would be foolish to carry out such a threat.

This is why Turkey has been rendered impotent in its threats against Cyprus' EEZ.

So instead of viewing Cyprus' defence pact as some small minded pseudo-hellenic alliance, think on a bigger scale that incorporates the wider EU, because with all due respect, militarily speaking Greece is no match for Turkey.