It is " crucial " that Europe seizes the Mediterranean geopolitical files head on, and remains in control of its destiny, without leaving it to " other powers ", declared, on Monday July 13, the French President Emmanuel Macron, referring without naming Turkey and Russia.
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" The Mediterranean area will be the challenge for the coming years as there are many crisis factors combined: contestation of the maritime areas, clashes between neighboring countries, destabilization of Libya, migration, traffic, access to resources, " said the president in an address to the armed forces on the eve of national holiday.
Referring to the " game of new powers ", he declared that " Europe has to redefine its role and its place there, without naivety and without complacency ". " The Mediterranean cannot build lasting peace without us, we cannot accept that our future is built by other powers ", he declared. " A true European policy for the Mediterranean " is " a necessity and an emergency ", he insisted.
Multiple stress factors
Whether it is the worsening of the Libyan crisis, where Turkey and Russia are in a position of strength, the tensions in the eastern Mediterranean where several powers like Turkey, Israel, Egypt or Greece are in competition for energy resources, the factors tensions have multiplied on this sea for years. “ With regard to Libya, I want to reiterate here how fundamental its stabilization is for the security of Europe and the Sahel. This is why I call for the immediate resumption of negotiations and political dialogue, with a view to a cease-fire. We must put an end to the massive arrivals of arms and mercenaries in this country, ”repeated the President of the Republic.
France has repeatedly denounced Turkish interference in the Libyan crisis, and tensions between the two countries have escalated, particularly after a maritime incident between two warships. " If there is no risk of slippage with the Turks, on the other hand, we are very clearly in an escalation, as there are many subjects of disagreement. After the incident of Courbet (French building targeted by a Turkish frigate in June, note) in the Mediterranean, France tries, with the Europeans to have a firmer stance in the face of violations of international law by the Turks, and Turkey will probably react, "said in an interview with Le Monde Monday, the French Chief of Staff, General François Lecointre.