Athens has announced it will increase its economic waters despite controversy with Ankara • Erdogan threatens: "Turkey will take what it deserves in the Mediterranean"

• Ships of the French and Greek navies near Cyprus // Photo: Reuters

Against the background of developing tensions in the Mediterranean between Turkey and Greece Cyprus the two countries, EU members are taking part in a joint military maneuver with France and Italy south of the Cypriot island. The "Yunomiya" maneuver, which began yesterday and will continue until tomorrow, is part of cooperation between Mediterranean countries amid growing tensions in the region following Turkey's demands to recognize the demarcation of borders it has defined in the region following an alliance signed with Libya.

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos noted that "the initiative is intended to showcase the commitment of the four Mediterranean countries to the rule of law and within the framework of the policy of calming tensions."

Photo: Reuters

At the same time the Greeks announced that they intended to double their maritime borders from about 11 nautical miles to about 22 nautical miles. Border expansion is underway in response to tensions with Turkey over drilling rights in the eastern Mediterranean.

The Greeks clarified that the expansion of the borders is legal and that it will take place along the Greek-western coastline facing Italy and does not include the disputed area. In a parliamentary speech, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated that Greece was abandoning decades of "passive" foreign policy.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday warned Greece not to test Ankara's patience, "Turkey will take what it deserves in the eastern Mediterranean, the Aegean and the Black Sea." Erdogan also noted that he was "determined to do whatever was required politically, militarily and economically".

The Greek prime minister and Turkish president made the remarks amid a German attempt to mediate between the parties. German Foreign Minister Heiko Mass warned on Tuesday, after a meeting with his Greek counterpart, that "the current situation in the eastern Mediterranean is ... a game of fire, and any spark - however small - could lead to disaster." He stressed the support of Germany and the EU as a whole in Greece "what we need now absolutely and immediately are signals of calm and readiness for dialogue".

Asa Ophir, an expert in Turkish history and politics from Bar Ilan University, claims that despite the presentation of European unity, the EU does not really speak with one voice in front of Turkey. "The EU is divided in the way it approaches Turkey. Germany acts in the form of a mediator, a good policeman, France the bad policeman shows great hostility and makes the most prominent voice in opposition to Erdogan. Italy is trying to omit both clauses. This is a very complex reality." 

Turkish proposal for a gas agreement?

Meanwhile, the Turkish media today released a plan showing who is considered the mastermind behind the economic water demarcation agreement between Turkey and former Libyan Admiral Jihat Yiji, a plan that offers a similar agreement with Israel. 

The plan would allow Turkey easier operation in the eastern Mediterranean basin and could exclude Israel from the emerging alliance against Turkey's plan for expansion in the Mediterranean. 

According to Yiji, in the event of the signing of an agreement between Israel and Turkey, Israel will gain an additional marine area of ​​16,344 square kilometers, which may significantly increase the natural gas resources available to Israel. 

Ophir notes that despite Yiji's senior status among the Turkish authorities and the importance of the doctrine he devised to determine Ankara's policy, such an agreement with Israel is impractical at this stage, mainly due to opposition from the Turkish electorate to a comprehensive and compromising agreement with Israel. Ophir notes that in addition, international companies operate in the area proposed in the Yiji agreement and this could lead to a dispute with them.