What the papers say

THE latest developments in the eastern Mediterranean were the focus of an article on Thursday by Kıbrıs daily columnist Ahmet Tolgay.

Referring to the recent “historic” maritime and defence agreement between Turkey and Libya, he said the deal brought the promise of “beautiful days” for the TRNC and the Turkish Cypriot people.

Explaining his view, Tolgay wrote that there is “nothing about [the deal] that is illegal”.

“It has messed up the plans of Israel, Egypt, Greece and South Cyprus to imprison Turkey to the coast of Antalya,” he had said. “The plotters have lived a shock in the face of this unexpected move.”

Tolgay said another “hot” development came following a “provocation” by Greece that led to Libyan Major-General Faraj alMahdawi, who is opposed to the deal with Turkey, “threatening” to “sink any Turkish naval vessel” that neared the country.

He said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan responded by saying: “If there is such a threat, the necessary [action] will be taken”.

Tolgay continued: “Meanwhile, Turkey has said it is open to talks with all sides, barring South Cyprus . . . in order to turn the Mediterranean into a sea of peace.

“The signing of the memorandum between Turkey and Libya has changed everything.

“Egypt, which allowed Greece to absorb the region, is closely following the memorandum between Turkey and Libya.

“Nowadays there is intense marine traffic between İzmir [in Turkey] and Libya’s Misrata port . . . and, following Egypt, Lebanon is also growing cold and even breaking off from the agreement made between Lebanon and the Greek Cypriot administration.

“An express route has been opened for cargo ships from İzmir to Misrata. On some days, 12 cargo ships are reaching Libya in just a day. Let’s see if that comical general will touch any of these ships.”

He said Turkey was also selling attack helicopters and air defence systems to Libya.

“At the same time, Qatar is not standing idly by . . . as Libya’s legitimate government announced that Qatar was giving $5 billion support package to Libya.”

Tolgay also noted that there is growing unease in Lebanon over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) agreement with Greece.

“It won’t be surprising to see, in the coming days, an EEZ agreement being signed between Turkey and Lebanon.

“All the signs show that a brand new conjuncture in the eastern Mediterranean is on the horizon, and will be extremely fortunate for the TRNC . . . all we need to do is be patient and show resistance.”