‘Turkey, Israel have secret meetings on hydrocarbons dispute’
THE Eastern Mediterranean dispute over hydrocarbons has been taken up in “secret” meetings held between Turkish and Israeli officials as part of fresh efforts by Turkey to improve relations with countries in the region, it has been reported.
The claims were made by Israeli media, which said that the rapprochement by Turkey was made following the victory of US president elect, Joe Biden.
Hakan Fidan, the head of the Turkish National Intelligence Service (MİT), was in contact with the Israeli service, Mossad, it was claimed.
“The meetings dealt with the situation in Syria and in the Eastern Mediterranean, where
Turkey is involved in a severe dispute with [South] Cyprus and Greece over gas exploration areas,” the reports said, adding that the possibility is being considered in Ankara of the ambassadors of Turkey and Israel returning to their posts.
The reports came as an EU summit meeting started on Thursday to discuss the possibility of imposing sanctions on Turkey due to the Eastern Mediterranean dispute.
The EU has warned Turkey to withdraw its energy research ships or face “punitive measures”.
German Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas, said prior to a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday: “There have been too many provocations, and tensions between Turkey, [South] Cyprus and Greece have prevented any direct talks.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who blasted the EU over its “biased” stance in favour of the Greek/Greek Cypriot side, urged the EU to “rid itself of strategic blindness. . . and not allow yourselves to be used as a tool of Greece and South Cyprus.”
“We believe we can solve the problems of the Eastern Mediterranean not by excluding each other, but by bringing all the actors together around the same table,” Mr Erdoğan said while participating in a university forum event via video call.
“We will not accept plans and maps that aim to box Turkey into the shores of Antalya,” he added.
Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay, addressing the Turkish Parliament on Monday, also touched on the Eastern Mediterranean issue.
“Turkey has been excluded from matters relating to the Eastern Mediterranean and the TRNC,” he said.
“We have declared to the world that there is no possibility of bringing to life any scenario that does not observe the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriots. Let us be proud of this.”
Meanwhile President Ersin Tatar, who was visited by members of the TRNC Martyrs’ Families and Veterans’ Association on Tuesday, referred to the Eastern Mediterranean dispute, saying: “The TRNC
State is essential for continued regional balances and the formation of stability.”
President Tatar also said that “all sides could win and prosper together if cooperation is worked out with the Greek Cypriot side, even if there are political issues, based on the framework of mutual respect”.
On Tuesday Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu urged the EU to use “common sense” to put an end to the dispute in the Eastern Mediterranean. “They need to be fair and honest here,” he said. “If they also think strategically and with common sense, not just at the summit but all the time, and we achieve a positive atmosphere, we can improve our ties.”