Turkey-Syria Maritime Deal Speculations Stir Concerns in Greece and Cyprus
The takeover of power in Syria by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) after toppling Bashar al-Assad's regime, combined with closer ties between HTS and Turkey and increasing engagement by Western nations with the new administration, has raised concerns in Greece and the Republic of Cyprus over potential maritime agreements.
Greek daily Kathimerini reported that Greece and the Republic of Cyprus are engaging in discussions within the European Union to address the possibility of a Turkey-Syria Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) agreement. Such a deal could redefine maritime boundaries and potentially harm the Republic of Cyprus's interests in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The report highlighted that Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides briefed EU leaders on the issue following the European Council summit in Brussels on Thursday. Both leaders warned that any such agreement would disregard Cyprus's "indisputable sovereign rights."
Mitsotakis acknowledged that the EEZ discussions were speculative and based on media reports, reminding EU counterparts of the bloc’s non-recognition of a similar agreement between Turkey and Libya signed in 2019.
Ahead of the EU summit, Mitsotakis reiterated Greece's support for Syria's territorial integrity and emphasized the need for a unified European stance on Syria, asserting Greece’s readiness to play a key role in shaping the EU’s position.
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