Satellites of Ankara
Egypt is now also disputing the Greek Exclusive Economic Zone. And yet, we had concluded agreements with her. The same—if not worse—is happening with Libya and Albania. Everyone aligns with the stronger power: Turkey. Greek and Cypriot foreign policy alike are striving to avoid the shipwreck of the so-called “calm waters.” Athens and Nicosia are becoming satellites of Ankara.
A glance at the map reveals that Greece is encircled by Turkey. Even those considered friends have proven unreliable. The supposed successes of the “Philhellene” Gerapetritis and Mitsotakis have turned out to be counterfeit diplomatic coins. Haftar and Sisi have also caught on. Since the Greeks are willing to give, what should they do? They make demands—following Turkey’s model. And those in Nicosia follow Athens’ model. This is why the Cyprus problem is stagnating. The United Nations’ life support is incapable of preventing partition; it rather seems to consider it inevitable and, through the constant concessions of our side, seeks to sugar-coat the pill. But can it be sugar-coated? Both Tatar and Erdogan want the dissolution of the Republic of Cyprus to be clear—without asterisks or disguises, without sedatives.
In essence, we are witnessing a Turkish policy aimed at:
- The loss of Greek sovereign rights and the partition of the Aegean along the 45th meridian, through the “calm waters” policy and the grey zones now backed by neighboring states such as Libya and Egypt, as well as Syria, which is in secret talks with Ankara regarding the EEZ.
- The partition and Turkification of Cyprus, whether through the current process or through new deadlocks. The message so far? De facto partition, de jure via federation or two states, and complete Turkification.
The Turks have paved the way by capitalizing on our appeasement, which has evolved into a policy of Finlandization and satellitization—fueling Ankara’s expansionism. At present, the leaderships in Athens and Nicosia have no Plan B. Both are running down the clock so they can shift the blame to their successors… if they last that long.
