Geopolitics in the Middle East: Enemy’s enemy is an ally or another enemy? (8)

*You can read full text:

http://ocininitiative.maeda1.jp/202010AllyOrEnemyInMeEnglish.pdf

 3. Turkey; Main player of the conflicts

In the previous section, the conflicts in the Middle East were listed from the points of rivalry and stakeholders. In this section, Turkey is analyzed as the main player of the conflicts.

 

(1) Natural Resource

In the eastern Mediterranean, offshore of Cyprus Island is hotspot for development of natural resource since Egypt and Israel have discovered large gas reserves. Submarine pipelines to send natural gas to Europe are also planned.

 

Republic of Cyprus is island country. But Turkish inhabitants in the northern half of the island have declared independence as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. No other countries except Turkey recognizes its independence. Turkey insists that their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extends over Cyprus Island and they have the right to develop resources throughout the eastern Mediterranean because the continental shelves of Eurasia and Africa connected together. Turkey disregards the claims of the Republic of Cyprus and is implementing gas exploration activity by their own rig with the escort of its Navy. The Cyprus government has protested that Turkey violated Cyprus’ sovereign right and hindered its own exploration activities with French oil company Total. French government backed up Total and warned Turkey strongly.

 

Concerning the submarine gas pipeline, Israel and Egypt have a plan to lay EastMed pipeline to Europe via Greece. Recently several countries including Israel, Egypt, Cyprus and Greece have formed the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Forum. On the other hand, Turkey has signed a treaty with Libyan caretaker government against EastMed pipeline plan. Turkey claims that the Mediterranean Sea connects two countries with continental shelf and Turkey has the right of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). For counter attacks, Greece has agreed to demarcate a maritime border with Egypt to block Turkish ambition.

 

Turkey has another gas pipeline project to export natural gas from Russia to Europe via Turkey. So-called South Stream pipeline is under construction in Black Sea. The connection point at European continent will be troublesome Greece. Turkey wants to secure another route via the Mediterranean Sea.

 

Turkey and Greece are rivalry. France and Egypt are behind Greece. But for Turkey, Egypt is an ally of OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) and France is a military ally of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). The enemy’s (Hellenic) ally is not necessarily the Turkish enemy.

 

(cont’d)

 

By Areha Kazuya

E-mail: Arehakazuya1@gmail.com