Cyprus-Forum.com

[repulsewarrior]

build it, and they will come,

Turkey-TRNC natural gas pipeline to change geopolitical balance in E.Med

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/analysis/turke ... ed/1684563

[repulsewarrior]

Syria begins to explore for oil,

https://ahvalnews.com/eastern-mediterra ... iterranean

...so says Ahval.

[repulsewarrior]

...an historic day according to the Prime Minister of Israel; the long road toward building an undersea pipeline has begun: it is expected to be providing gas deliveries in three years.

https://www.bridgesforpeace.com/israel- ... agreement/

https://www.duvarenglish.com/diplomacy/ ... -east-med/

[repulsewarrior]

https://ahval.me/turkey-cyprus/calming- ... s-solution

..a view from the Turkish perspective.

[repulsewarrior]

...very interesting read.

https://theintercept.com/2020/02/06/con ... ne-cyprus/

...Exxon it seems has a big interest in Cyprus and American Foreign Affairs.

...France demonstrates their support by deploying the Charles de Gaulle, an Aircraft Carrier, to Cypriot shores; i will remind the readers as well...

[repulsewarrior]

...and Italy.

https://www.financialmirror.com/2020/02 ... th-cyprus/

[repulsewarrior]

...Lebanon begins its hydrocarbon explorations in the East Med.,


"A consortium composed of energy giants Total, Eni and Novatek was awarded two of Lebanon's 10 exploration blocks in 2018 -- block 4, and block 9 near the Israeli border."

Read more: https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/afp/20 ... z6F5iVrmsg

...exploration in block 4 starts late, those in block 9 are more controversial, given that Israel disputes Lebanon's claim.

The boundaries, how they are settled, will hopefully demonstrate to the rest of the world, how such disputes are resolved, without hostile force, but rather, guided by principals like UNCLOS, and their determination to settle amicably, too.

[repulsewarrior]

...it's a trivial correction, but Greece has the longest coastline in the Eastern Med. And let us recall the Treaty of Lausanne, that which established modern Turkey, and which Mr. Erdogan has said, he has 'tossed out a window"; what does he want?

It is not hard to understand why Egypt, Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Italy and Greece, among others, have come together to make rational choices that safely exploit the sea's wealth, to all their benefit. Remarkably, who would have imagined to see these protagonists sitting together cooperating, as the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum, just a couple of years ago?

...it is not the oil and gas, nor a question of "equity" as Mr. Erdogan has described it, his attempts to disrupt the progress of his neighbours, neither is it superiority, but supremacy, which he seeks.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1679451

[repulsewarrior]

http://www.cna.org.cy/WebNews-en.aspx?a ... c4370a821e

Greek Premier and Egyptian President agree to reinforce trilateral cooperation with Cyprus
CNA - Egypt/Cairo 25/05/2020 20:35

...reaction to Turkey's drive to "deal" on Universal Principals.

Egypt is not swayed by the territory they may gain in agreeing to Turkey's interpretation of "equity".

[repulsewarrior]

...interesting reading.

Of course, oil and gas is the impetus that is simple and easy to understand, but it is more than this.

..."tossed out a window" Erdogan says of the Treaty of Lausanne; that which made modern Turkey almost one hundred years ago. Let's not forget also, why the majors will not drill for him, and why it is that he drills on his own, despite the economic sense of it, now.

His dispute is not with the "Greeks" per se, but, that which is not "Turkish". This is the big difference. Neither "equity", or superiority does he seek, but supremacy of the seas, on them and under them, which include the Aegean, the Eastern Mediterranean, (and the Black Sea); it seems, only the brotherhood in Libya would disagree.

Indeed, there is not one neighbour where Turkey is not embroiled in force, one way or another. It includes, Syria, Iran, Iraq, of course Greece, and Cyprus (thus: Qatar, USA, Korea, Italy, France, Israel, Egypt, and others), with Libya, also the Russians, and the UAE; let's not forget the EU is also not immune from his threatening positions.

Perhaps this maximalist approach may be successful, unopposed, or, if it places him in a position of strength with any negotiations the "others" may recognise on his terms.

...was it Churchill that once said, to negotiate Peace prepare for War. It is a worrying condition, but I am hopeful because a small change in his intentions, in Cyprus, by recognising that Cypriots exist, will go a long way to his Legacy: Fame rather than Infamy internationally, a Turkey united if it was no longer divided, by "Turkishness", too.

https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/ ... terranean/