Filenews 17 August 2021 - by Andreas Pibishis
Turkey's attitude towards the Republic of Cyprus and its attitude in the Eastern Mediterranean are factors that affect EU-Turkey relations. Josep Borrell, in a reply letter to Nikos Christodoulides, which "F" reveals, underlines the need for Turkish behaviour in the Eastern Mediterranean region to prove the credibility of the Turkish side and at the same time have continuity.
The High Representative of the European Union was responding to a letter from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Christodoulides, on the Turkish provocations last July in the sea area north of Cyprus. This is the incident with the harassment and firing of shots by a Turkish warship against a port police vessel in the area of Kato Pyrgos Tyllirias.
Nikos Christodoulides had underlined that the incident of July 16, 2021 is taking place at a time when efforts are being made, both on the part of the United Nations and on the part of the European Union, to achieve de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
In his letter, Josep Borrell stresses that "Turkey's stance in the Eastern Mediterranean must be credible and sustainable, without setbacks, to prove that the intentions it expresses are genuine and that de-escalation is maintained in the wider region. "
Continuing, the High Representative assures the Cypriot Foreign Minister that for his part he will continue to send "the necessary signals to Turkey" and that he will continue to work "within the framework set by the leaders of the European Union, seeking a cooperative relationship with Turkey and with mutual benefit, as long as Turkey is truly willing to do so". It points to the EU's determination to defend its own interests as well as those of its Member States and 'the maintenance of regional stability'.
At the beginning of his letter, Josep Borrell mentions that he and Nikos Christodoulides discussed many times the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and added:
"The EU has developed a very clear position on these issues. Turkey must make a firm commitment to good neighbourly relations, international agreements and the peaceful resolution of disputes. Moreover, Turkey must avoid threats and actions that damage good neighbourly relations and instead respect the sovereignty of all EU Member States over their maritime and air space."
Continuing, Josep Borrell tells the Cypriot Foreign Minister that since taking office as High Representative, he has been constantly undertaking efforts "to create a favorable environment for a sustainable de-escalation in the region". He notes that "the withdrawal of Turkish drilling vessels from the region was an important step in this direction."
Nevertheless, the EU High Representative says, sad incidents such as the one described in the letter (of 16 July 2021) come as a reminder of how fragile de-escalation is and therefore further consolidation is needed.
The MFA's complaint about the incident of July 16
Nikos Christodoulides in a letter (which "F" has seen) to Josep Borrell informs him "about an extremely worrying incident that occurred in the early hours of July 16, 2021, in the territorial waters of the Republic of Cyprus". More specifically, at 3.30 in the morning "a small vessel of the port police of the CST that was carrying out a regular patrol in the area of Pyrgos Tyllirias "and while it was 11 nautical miles from the coast of Cyprus, was approached, harassed and prevented from carrying out its mission, by a Turkish coastguard sailing in the direction of the area of the Republic of Cyprus occupied by Turkey".
Continuing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the EU HR that "in the face of the aggressive and provocative behaviour of the Turkish coastguard, the vessel of the port police of the CCT, whose crew lists three members, headed back to the port of Kato Pyrgos", and adds: "At a distance of four nautical miles from the port, the Turkish coastguard fired warning fire and continued to follow and harass the vessel of the Port Police as it was heading towards the port, reaching a distance of 300 metres from the coast before returning to the occupied areas.
The MFA says it is regrettable that this event happened when the United Nations, the European Union and the international community at large "devote effort and resources" to "achieving a de-escalation of Turkish provocations, which are hotbeds of tension in the maritime zones of the CST".
N. Christodoulides underlines that "the incident itself serves to expose, once again, Turkey's blatant indifference to the repeated calls of the international community for respect for international law". It notes that this behavior by Turkey "comes at a critical juncture at which it is imperative to facilitate the creation of a favourable climate for the resumption of talks for a solution to the Cyprus problem under the auspices of the UNSG".
