Filenews 4 October 2021 - by Frixos Dalitis
Ankara is trying to create a warm setting in the waters of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea. A move that is the expression of its annoyance, as reported by diplomatic circles, about the recent defence agreement between Greece and France. The change in the balances in favour of Athens at the military level with the aid with the French frigates Belharra and the provision for the provision of assistance from one country to the other have annoyed the Turkish Government, which is trying to create a climate of tension in the region. In the frame of Turkish aggression is also the Cyprus EEZ and the cooperation between Cyprus, Greece and Israel in the context of the investigations for the construction of the EastMed gas pipeline. In the area, the vessel Nautical Geo is expected in the next few days to conduct investigations. An area for which Turkey issued NAVTEX for conducting exercises. It was preceded on Saturday by a barrage of Turkish provocations by Turkish aircraft in the Aegean Sea.
The Turkish moves were accompanied by the inflammatory statements of the Turkish Ministry of Defence with threats against Cyprus and Greece. Turkey will continue to be a guarantor of peace and security in Cyprus, argues the Turkish ULA.
Since the beginning of 2021, Greece has committed 1,989 violations against the demilitarized regime of the islands with military sea and air vehicles, the Turkish Defence Ministry argues, while for Cyprus it says that Turkey will continue to be a guarantor power.
In a statement, defence ministry spokeswoman Major Pinar Kara said that "the Turkish armed forces will continue to protect the rights and interests of Turkey and the 'tdvk' in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean. They will continue to be guarantors of peace and security on the island of Cyprus in accordance with international guarantees and alliance agreements."
"Despite all our appeals in the context of good neighbourly relations, Greece continues its actions that violate the demilitarization regime of the eastern Aegean islands in violation of international agreements. Since the beginning of 2021, it has committed 1,989 violations against the demilitarized regime of the islands with military sea and air vehicles," the Turkish ULA claims.
He also argues that "Greece insists on violations of the moratorium, contrary to the Athens Agreement. Even during the moratorium period, which covers 15 June-15 September, 56 air and sea activities took place from Greece in the Aegean Sea. This situation is the most obvious example that this country avoids complying even with the agreements signed," the Turkish ULA claims.
Moreover, he adds, "the NAVTEX announcement made by Greece in September for the scientific research ship Nautical Geo is a matter for which coordination should have been made in advance with Turkey, in accordance with international law, since it covers the Turkish continental shelf. Our intervention was made against this illegal effort by Greece and our anti-NAVTEX was published", concludes the Turkish Ministry of Defence.
"He remembered the Akritas plan"
"If you want to see a bloody plan, look at the Akritas plan," Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar said, commenting on the reference to the President of the Republic's address that Turkish Cypriots tried to destroy the Republic of Cyprus with a bloody plan.
"My advice to Anastasiades: not to cling to unrealistic claims, to accept the realities of Cyprus and to respond positively to our calls for dialogue," he said.
In a written statement, Mr. Tatar referred to the unrealistic allegations and accusations of President Anastasiades to the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey, accusing the President of the Republic himself of distorting the existing realities in Cyprus, hiding them and trying to deceive the international community.
Ersin Tatar reiterated his position that the Turkish Cypriots were forcibly excluded from the CD and the phrase that the then President of the Parliament, Glafkos Clerides, allegedly said to the Turkish Cypriot ministers and MPs who wanted to return to their duties, "if you come we cannot ensure your safety, if you come we will throw you out".
A statement by the "presidency" also states that the Greek Cypriot side has backtracked on what was agreed to appoint a "personal envoy" of the UNSG.
In Athens - Christodoulides
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Christodoulides, travels to Athens this morning for contacts with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Nikos Dendias, in the context of the constant coordination and mutual information between Nicosia and Athens. According to an announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the meeting of the two ministers, views are expected to be exchanged, among others, on the latest developments on the Cyprus issue, especially after the recent meeting in New York, on the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, in the light of new Turkish provocations and threats, on the future of EU-Turkey relations, as well as on the recent agreement between Greece and France.
Progress will also be reviewed and the next steps will be considered to further strengthen and broaden the cooperation mechanisms established in the wider region at the initiative of the two countries.
Tatar: I haven't seen the map
The map submitted by Mustafa Akinci to the United Nations in the context of the negotiations in Mon- Peleran was recalled by the occupying leader, Ersin Tatar, in the context of the impressions he is attempting to create.
Speaking to a Turkish channel, Ersin Tatar brought up the issue of the map that Mustafa Akinci had given to the UN for the territorial issue, saying he does not know "what has been given. I still don't know what this map includes," he said.
A map was given, Mr Tatar said, despite the fact that the "deputy minister to the president" during Akinci's tenure, Gürndal Hiundaoglu, had said that he had himself given the map to the one who took his place when Ersin Tatar took office.
