Filenews 13 November 2022 - by Kostas Venizelos
The agreement between Lebanon and Israel to define the maritime borders between them, reached through US mediation, is causing intense movement in the region, in the shadow of wider geopolitical developments. The data that are being formed refer to the creation of a model for resolving difficult disputes, which is shown by various movements, exercises on paper that are taking place, that may be used in other cases, such as the triangle of Greece, Cyprus and Turkey. The scene seems to be set with American blessings, and in view of the serious problems that Europe is facing with gas, it will obviously move forward faster than anyone can predict.
It is a model for resolving difficult disputes between hostile states that do not recognise each other. A model which, in the case of Lebanon and Israel, is based on American guarantees for the implementation of the agreement. The White House special envoy, Amos Hochstein, after many attempts and many goings-on, reached the goal of reaching an agreement. It should also be noted the personal involvement of President Biden, who intervened with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, in order for the French company TOTAL to undertake the investigations in the area, where it is estimated that there is a deposit.
It is noted in this regard that Israel ceded 860 sq. km. of sea to Lebanon in order to make an agreement, as it prioritized the issue of security. The logic behind this is the approach that, because the deposit in block 9 (Lebanon) will be developed, there will be a huge economic benefit for the Arab country, which is collapsing economically, and thus conditions will be created for the prevalence of conditions of stability and peace and therefore prosperity. Lebanon's prosperity will shield the security of Israel, which believes it will reduce the power and influence of Hezbollah.
The Lebanese-Israel agreement has mobilised Nicosia. A delegation led by the ambassador, former Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tasos Tzionis, has visited Beirut and Tel Aviv in recent days, while previously there have been contacts with other players in the region. The delimitation agreements between Cyprus and Israel and Lebanon, which, incidentally, were not ratified by that country's parliament, must now be adapted to the new situation. Those that were formed as a result of the Israel-Lebanon agreement. As far as Syria is concerned, concluding an agreement with the Republic of Cyprus seems difficult, not least because of the European Union's policy towards the Assad regime, but not impossible. This is because Syria will also want to exploit potential deposits that appear to exist in its sea area. It should be noted in this regard that Russia also plays a role in this part of Syria.
The recent Beirut-Tel Aviv agreement, therefore, is of interest to and affects the Republic of Cyprus. With the definition of the maritime border between Israel and Lebanon, a tri-national point is created, which will have to be agreed. At the same time, Lebanon should discuss and agree with Syria. Any issues are expected to be overcome soon as the Americans have a high interest and urgency.
It is obvious that both the Americans and, above all, the Europeans, because of the Ukrainian issue, have turned their attention to the Eastern Mediterranean region. It is clear that the issue of finding alternative energy sources is urgent. In our area there are many unexploited deposits. These can be exploited if and when problems and obstacles are overcome. Greece and Cyprus benefit from the developments, as it is obvious that it is the occupying Turkey that is blocking the development of the deposits.
Is the occupying Turkey ready to talk to Greece and Cyprus? There seems to be no intention of Ankara to talk to Cyprus. In this regard, it is recalled that after the announcements on the agreement between Lebanon and Israel, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs was quick to mention that this model can be used between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. This position was inappropriate and out of touch with reality, but it was made in order not to put Turkey itself, which considers the Republic of Cyprus "deceased", into the equation.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yiannakis Kasoulides, however, recently told state radio that he would call the US envoy Amos Hochstein to congratulate him on his success in reaching an agreement between Lebanon and Israel and that he would also raise before him the idea, if he wishes, to take a similar initiative between Cyprus and Turkey. It was not known if this phone call was made. The issue in any case is that any mediation should be made on the basis of international law and not with the well-known timeless approaches of the USA, with the "balances" of terror, which are based on the logic of appeasing the strongest.
