Filenews 10 October 2021 - by Kostas Venizelos
Erdogan is attempting to pass the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean through tests of endurance, but mainly Cyprus and Greece. Ankara's decision at the level of the powerful National Security Council is that the occupying power will not allow actions and implementation of plans of countries in the region if it does not approve of it. The narrative of the Erdogan regime is that nothing can be done without its consent and participation. And when Erdogan talks about participation, he means to have the upper hand.
The occupying power also showed its intentions with the investigations of the ship Nautical Geo (Italian interests, Maltese flag), which are being carried out for the route of the EAST MED pipeline in which Greece, Cyprus and Israel participate. The research is also funded by the EU. Turkey harassed the vessel when it was ten nautical miles east of Crete, while it did not allow by force to make surveys (measurement study to be precise) in the Cypriot EEZ. It did not, however, harass the investigations in the area of Israel, which, although participating in the programme, did not react to what happened in the sea area of Cyprus and Greece.
What happens from now on also depends on the countries affected. Cyprus does not have much potential, Greece does not seem willing to take the issue to the extreme and respond to the challenges, while the new government of Israel does not seem to have the same approach as Netanyahu for the EAST MED pipeline.
There are opinions - not in Nicosia - that believe that the route can be changed. This, of course, will mean that Turkey will be able, by force, to thwart the plans of the countries in the region.
Of these developments, it seems that Egypt is also investing in changing course. Mainly because one option to be considered will be that of terminals in that country.
As far as EXXON MOBIL's drilling in block 10 of the Cyprus EEZ is concerned, which are timed in November, Ankara does not intend to do anything to obstruct the works. It will "pierce", however, in the sea parcel 6, in which XI and TOTAL are active.
