Turkey’s well-known tactics, of transferring its internal problems to its relationship with its neighbors, appears to be paying off once more. Turkey’s recent claim regarding the Cypriot EEZ has clearly charged the atmosphere between Ankara, Nicosia and Athens, resulting in Cyprus suspending talks.
It has been obvious for some time now that Turkey’s two-faced tactics towards the jihadists has caused many problems in the relations with traditional allies, such as the USA, as well as regional countries such as Israel and Egypt. The complicated military and political game played out in Syria and Iraq has lead Ankara to a series of moves that have caused more problems than good. The pinnacle is the stance towards the siege of Kobani, which has caused Turkish Kurds to explode.
The tension in the interior and the criticism from abroad appears to have urged the Turkish leadership to try to export the crisis. Yet again Cyprus and Greece – indirectly – offer fertile ground. Although the Turkish challenges are no more than a threat for time being, it is clear that the situation may escalate at any moment, further exacerbating the imbalance that is dominating the greater region.
With so may open fronts around us, it is obvious that the last that Greece and Cyprus want is yet another source of tension. After all, for years Greek foreign policy has been based on an effort to steadily improve relations Greco-Turkish relations, with a resolution of the Cypriot dispute being the top priority, along with the respect of our sovereign rights. Unfortunately for use, the hegemonic aspirations of the current Turkish leadership regarding the neighboring Muslim lands that are currently in turmoil, are shifting its focus away from pursuing a relationship with Europe and inevitably create a problem in our bilateral relations.
This is one potential front that we do not need, but we must calmly prepare plans and alliances, in order to face it if need be.
TO VIMA
