TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
122/16
01.07.2016
1.
Albayrak stresses stability as solution to energy problems; Statements on the
Cyprus problem
2.
Israeli Energy Minister: Israeli gas may reach Turkey in three
years
3.
Akinci: The Turkish Cypriots should be ready for terrorist
attacks
4.
The “Economic Prospects of a Cyprus Settlement” were discussed at the
EP
5.
Talat blames the police of the Republic of Cyprus because those who had attacked
him in Limassol were acquitted
6.
KTOS and KTOEOS demonstrated in front of the “Turkish embassy” against the so
-called police’s practices
7.
“Agreements” between Turkey and the breakaway regime on health and consumers
protection entered into force
8.
TDP to attend the Socialist International Meeting as an official
member
9.
The water transferred from Turkey has started flowing in occupied
Famagusta
10.
Erdogan: Normalization to benefit Turkey, Israel and
Russia
11.
Cavusoglu: Turkey and Russia should build a common
future
12.
Chapter 33 of the EU acquis opened in Brussels
13.
CHP poses 11 questions to Turkish Prime Minister on
ISIL
14.
Turkish intelligence warned of potential Istanbul airport attack around 20 days
ago: Report
15.
Commentary on the new international security order in the Eastern
Mediterranean
16.
Commentary on how Turkey's agreement with Israel will change the power equation
in the Mediterranean
1.
Albayrak stresses stability as solution to energy problems; Statements on the
Cyprus problem
Turkish
daily Sabah (01.07.16) reports that Turkey’s Energy and Natural Resources
Minister Berat Albayrak has declared that the solutions to energy problems are:
the regional and global stability and peace.
Albayrak,
who served as the moderator of the panel session “Predictions, Opportunities and
Threats for International Energy Development", which took place in China's
capital city of Beijing as part of the G20 Energy ministers' meeting, said that
energy markets are rapidly becoming globalized and pointed out the importance of
bringing this subject up in a period when opportunities and risks are
increasing.
Referring
to the case of Cyprus and what will happen with Cyprus and the energy issue,
Albayrak gave the signal for reaching to new agreements and stated: “We will
undertake in the short and medium term more important steps in the framework of
the win-win model. We had been asked whether there will be any developments or
not with south Cyprus. The Cyprus negotiation process has reached to an
important point. Still, the final agreement has been left for after the
solution. The election results would give us important hints about the future of
the island. Reconciliation of differences, peace and economic cooperation in
the regional countries would affect them positively. Our approach about Cyprus
is there since 2004. Reaching to an agreement for the interest of the
Mediterranean basin and the entire island is very important. The development of
energy policies by all on the condition that their rights are protected would
reflect positively on the island”, Albayrak said.
(…)"We
believe that energy sources and energy routes which are the sources of struggle
today can also be the sources of collaboration, stability and alliances. We are
also thinking that it is not possible for any country to provide security of
supply singlehandedly without international alliances or solidarity,"
Albayrak also added, stressing that the primary concern of Turkey's politics
is to bring peace on a regional and global level alongside
stability.
(…)
(AK)
2.
Israeli Energy Minister: Israeli gas may reach Turkey in three
years
Turkish
daily Hurriyet newspaper (01.07.16) reports that Israeli Energy and Natural
Resources Minister Yuval Steinitz, speaking exclusively over the phone to
Hurriyet newspaper on June 29, said that in the best scenario the Israeli
natural gas may reach Turkey in three years and added: “In the circumstances,
Israel may export its gas to Europe through Europe from the TANAP
pipeline”.
Asked
to comment on the Cyprus problem, the Israeli Minister replied that he does not
want to take up the Cyprus issue.
The
paper writes: “In the forthcoming period, Cyprus will be in the agenda during
the project of transferring the Israeli gas to Turkey. It is stated that the
pipeline should be passed through Cyprus’ EEZ. In the question whether this
project will accelerate the negotiation process in Cyprus, Steinitz said: ‘I
think that the problem may be solved. During our meetings with the Greeks and
the Cypriots, it has always been at the top of the agenda the normalization of
Israel’s relations with Turkey, both countries may want the constructions of
such pipeline and it may go through Cyprus. In my opinion this obstacle may be
overcome. Perhaps in the future, the pipeline may transfer also the Cyprus gas’.
The Israeli Minister, who avoided speaking on this issue, stressed that the
governments of Turkey and Cyprus will decide on this and added: ‘I do not want
to involve on his issue. It is an issue between Turkey and Cyprus’.
”
On
the same issue, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (online, 01.07.16)
reports that as Turkey and Israel move to restore their relationship after six
years of strained ties, both sides are looking forward to the opportunity to
transfer Israel’s natural gas to Turkey, a move which could happen as early as
2019, according to Israel. “I think that it is quite likely that Israel will
export natural gas to Turkey. And maybe also in the future we will export
natural gas to Europe through the Turkish gas transmission system that is now
under construction. I think it is good for Turkey. It is good for Israel,”
Steinitz told daily Hurriyet.
Energy
will be an important area of cooperation between the two countries, with Turkey
being the most feasible route for Israel’s future natural gas exports.
“The
deal, if there will be such a deal, it will be a deal between companies from
both sides,” Steinitz said, adding, “Israeli or American companies like Noble
and Turkish companies”.
“The
two countries however will have to agree to give some kind of consent to such a
deal, and agree to the construction of a gas pipeline from Israeli economic
water to Turkey,” he noted.
Israel
can currently export 350 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas, the Minister said,
adding there was potential for more production. “According to the estimates, in
a few years’ time probably we will be able to export up to 2,500 bcm. This is a
lot of gas”, Steinitz said.
“And
if this will take place, it is just an estimate [but] this is also the estimate
of [the] U.S. Department of Energy that we will discover in the next few years
much more gas than what was discovered so far. If this happens Israel will have
to export a lot of gas to Western Europe. Then Israel can export gas through
Turkey through the TANAP pipeline, a very large pipeline that is going be built,
from [the] Caspian Sea to Turkey through Europe,” he said.
Israel
has three options to export gas to Europe, according to Steinitz, who outlined
each of them.
“[The]
first one is the LNG [liquefied natural gas] facilities in [the] Egyptian
delta.
In Egypt there are two LNG facilities. One of the ideas there was already some
kind of MoU [memorandum of understanding] between the companies in Egypt that
gas from Israel will move to [the] Egyptian delta, and in those LNG facilities
will be liquefied and shipped with ships from Egypt to Europe. This is one
possibility, but it is quite expensive.
“Another
possibility is to build a pipeline from the Israeli economic water through
Cyprus to Greece, a very long underwater pipeline. This is possible but it
is a very big project and it might take much longer. It might take five to eight
years to build such a very long undersea pipeline. Technically it is possible
but it is quite expensive and quite long.
“The
third possibility to export gas to Europe is through Turkey. And there are
two possibilities here. One possibility is that Israel will export gas to
Turkey. Currently it is a lot of gas, but in the future it might be much more,
almost actually unlimited de facto if we find the additional gas fields. And
this is very likely. This is highly probable. And the other possibility, if the
two countries will agree, is that gas from Israel and [the] Eastern
Mediterranean basin in general will be transported through Turkey to Europe. And
then Istanbul can become an international energy hub,” he
said.
The
Minister noted the cost estimates for a pipeline to Turkey was “about $2 billion
or a little bit less”, adding it would be financed by the private sector with
the consent of both Turkey and Israel.
“It
will be [financed] by [the] business private sector on both sides. If everything
will go well, I think… in 2019 Israeli gas from [the] Leviathan [gas field off
the coast of Israel] can be exported to Turkey. It might be as early as 2019.
“But
of course you know once Leviathan will begin to produce natural gas, it is
possible by this timeline to build a pipeline not just from Leviathan to Israel,
but also from Leviathan to Turkey. In the best case scenario we are speaking
about approximately three years. Of course it might take longer, it depends. But
actually technically, if everything goes well, in three years from now Israeli
natural gas can already be exported to Turkey,” Steinitz
said.
(DPs)
3.
Akinci: The Turkish Cypriots should be ready for terrorist attacks
Turkish
Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (01.07.16) reports that the Turkish Cypriot
leader Mustafa Akinci stated that the Turkish Cypriots should be ready to face
terrorist attacks adding that nobody should remain calm thinking that such an
attack could not happen.
He
made these statements during a meeting with the “chief of police forces” of the
breakaway regime Suleyman Manavoglu.
Referring
to the terrorist attack that took place in Istanbul a few days ago, Akinci
stated that their heart was hurt due to these events and said that being ready
to face a possible attack is the greatest power against this kind of events.
He also said that “the more ready the police is, the safest the society feels”.
Akinci
went on adding that the “police” will be necessary in the future, in case a
solution is reached. He also said that in case a federal solution is reached
there will be the need for a federal police and of a police for each state,
which will consist of the current “police members”.
The
paper further reports that Akinci signed the condolences book opened at the
“embassy of Turkey” in the occupied area of Cyprus. Akinci noted in his
message that the attack took place during a period of positive developments in
Turkey and added that it is obvious that terrorist circles do not want Turkey to
live in peace.
(CS)
4.
The “Economic Prospects of a Cyprus Settlement” were discussed at the EP
Turkish
Cypriot Kibris newspaper (01.07.16) reports that the issue of the
representation of the Turkish Cypriots at the European Parliament (EP) has been
discussed during a conference organized at the EP under the title “Economic
Prospects of a Cyprus Settlement”. Addressing the conference, Ryszard
Czarnecki, EP’s Vice President and Polish MEP with the European
Conservatives and Reformists Group, suggested the implementation of the
formula which is valid at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
(PACE) as regards the representation of the Turkish Cypriots at the EP.
The
conference was hosted by Ilhan Kucuk, Bulgarian MEP of Turkish origin with the
Liberals and Democrats’ Alliance for Europe (ALDE).
Omer Gokcekus, economic adviser of Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci and Praxoulla
Antoniadou Kyriakou, Greek Cypriot economist, addressed the conference.
According
to Armagan Candan, self-styled deputy with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP),
Hasan Tacoy, “independent deputy” and Zeki Celer “deputy’ with the Social
Democracy Party (TDP), who participated in a delegation of the “assembly”
which held contacts with EP and EU officials in Brussels, Fikri Toros,
chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, MEPs, foreign missions’
representatives and officials from the EU Council and the EU Commission attended
the conference.
Czarnecki
described as satisfactory the fact that the sides in Cyprus are carrying out
result oriented intensified negotiations and argued that a comprehensive and
viable solution in Cyprus will be for the benefit of not only the island alone
but for the Eastern Mediterranean area as well. He said that the Turkish
Cypriots’ preparation for the EU acquis is of great importance for having an
unproblematic unification and the ad hoc committee established by the
Commission is extremely useful within this framework. He claimed that the
Turkish Cypriots are not represented at the EP and that this problem should be
overcome.
In
her address at the conference, Kyriakou said that in studies carried out
during the period 2008-2010, it is predicted that with a solution in Cyprus the
income of each household will increase by 12 thousand euro and 33 thousand new
jobs will be created due to the growth in the sectors of tourism, constructions,
transports and manufacturing. She noted that significant money savings will
be secured due to the reduction of the spending on armaments, the foreign
investments will increase and additional income will be secured from the export
to Europe of the natural gas found around the island.
Addressing
the conference, Gokcekus said that the solution will offer great
opportunities to the Turkish Cypriots, but the accession process of the Turkish
Cypriot side to the EU has not been completed and therefore a series of
differences exist between the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot business
environments. He argued that the EU has a great duty on the issue of the
harmonization of the “laws” and the practices in the “TRNC” with the acquis.
(I/Ts.)
5.
Talat blames the police of the Republic of Cyprus because those who had
attacked him in Limassol were acquitted
Turkish
Cypriot Kibris Postasi newspaper (01.07.16) reports that former Turkish Cypriot
leader Mehmet Ali Talat told the paper that he was not surprised by the fact
that the ELAM members who attacked him during a conference in Limassol in 2014
were acquitted by a court in the government-controlled area of the Republic of
Cyprus. The court acquitted two out of the three attackers against Talat.
Noting
that he was even expecting such a decision,
Talat blamed the police of the Republic of Cyprus of “not even trying to
prevent the incident” and of not submitting enough evidence to the court. He
claimed:
“At
this point I cannot say anything about the judiciary. It seems that the police
have not submitted adequate evidence to the court. In any case, the police had
not even tried to prevent the incident. Everyone in the room saw who did
something and what they did. I also saw. Is it possible for the police not to
have seen? […]”
(I/Ts.)
6.
KTOS and KTOEOS demonstrated in front of the “Turkish embassy” against the so
-called police’s practices
Under
the title “Do not touch our fate, our culture and our identity”, Turkish
Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (01.07.16) reports that the trade unions of
elementary and high school teachers, KTOS and KTOEOS organized a symbolic
demonstration in front of the “Turkish embassy” in the occupied part of
Lefkosia protesting against the fact that the “police” prevented them to
read a statement in front of the Theological College in occupied Mia Milia
village.
The
paper writes that the “police” did not allow to the protestors to come near the
“embassy” and to put a black wreath in front of the “embassy”, causing reactions
and tension between the protestors and the “police”. The black wreath was
finally given to the police to give it to the “Turkish ambassador” Derya
Kanbay.
Speaking
during the event, KTOS general secretary Senel Elcil stated that
protesting is the most natural right and accused the police of closing the road
20 meters away from the “embassy”. He also said that according to a decision
of the “high court” the “police” cannot close any road it wants. He added that
they will bring the issue before a “court” and wondered who made the decision
for “police’s” actions.
On
his part, the chairman of KTOEOS Tahir Gokcebeli, said that there is an
intentional intervention to the religion, the culture, the will and the
education of the Turkish Cypriot community, adding that the teachers cannot
allow this.
(CS)
7.
“Agreements” between Turkey and the breakaway regime on health and consumers
protection entered into force
Turkish
Cypriot Vatan newspaper (01.07.16) reports that the “protocol’ and the
“agreements” between Turkey and the “TRNC”, the breakaway regime in the occupied
area of the Republic of Cyprus, as regards the fields of the consumers
protection and health have been published in Turkey’s official gazette and
entered into force.
The
“cooperation protocol” on the consumers’ protection between Turkey’s Ministry of
Customs and Commerce and the breakaway regime’s economy, industry and commerce
self-styled ministry provides for the “mutual and continuous” cooperation and
exchange of views in the fields of consumer protection and market surveillance
and control. They will also organize seminars and exchange experts aiming at the
development of personnel capacity, e-commerce, distance sales, advertisement,
solution of complains and market surveillance.
The
“agreement” in the field of health provides, inter alia, for Turkey giving
vaccines to the regime for various illnesses.
(I/Ts.)
8.
TDP to attend the Socialist International Meeting as an official member
Turkish
daily Afrika newspaper (01.07.16) reports that the Social Democratic Party (TDP)
will attend for the first time officially the Socialist International meeting
which will take place in Geneva, Switzerland between July 1-2.
According
to a written statement issued by the TDP, the party will be represented by a
delegation headed by Baris Erkmen, member of the party central committee.
TDP
has become an official member of the Socialist International last November
during the meeting which took place in Angola. TDP’s official membership was
accepted unanimously.
(AK)
9.
The water transferred from Turkey has started flowing in occupied
Famagusta
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (01.07.16) reports that the “mayor” of
occupied Famagusta Ismail Arter, in statements yesterday to the paper, stated
that the water transferred from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus has
started coming up from the taps in occupied Famagusta as of yesterday morning.
He, however, called the inhabitants in occupied Famagusta not to use the water
as potable since the water pipes of the Famagusta region are old as he
explained.
Arter
added that they will exert efforts to renew the water pipes in order for the
water to become potable as of August.
(AK)
10.
Erdogan: Normalization to benefit Turkey, Israel and
Russia
According
to Ankara Anatolia news agency (01.07.16), President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said
on Wednesday night that steps taken to normalize relations with Russia and
Israel are based on a "win-win" principle for all three countries. "We never
thought of a one-sided step", Erdoğan said at an iftar dinner in Ankara. All
steps taken were "based on the win-win principle," he said. "In other words,
both Turkey and Russia must win; both Turkey and Israel must win as a result of
these negotiations and agreements". Both Russia and Israel are key trade
partners for Turkey and commercial ties suffered as a result of frosty
relations.
The
Turkish President added he will meet Putin ahead of the G20 summit of leading
rich and developing nations, to be held in China in October. "We decided to
quickly take steps regarding tourism," said Erdogan, adding that Turkey's
borders will be open for Russian tourists, as Russian borders will be open for
Turks.
Speaking
a day after a deadly attack at Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport, Erdoğan
expressed condolences to all of those who have died in Turkey due to terrorism,
referring to the attack in Istanbul on Tuesday.
Those
who killed innocent victims "had prepared their place in hell" and had nothing
to do with Islam, as the Quran says that "killing an innocent person is like
killing all mankind," Erdoğan said.
Turkey
is "passing through a severe test" as "a country that is the target of the
world's bloodiest terrorist organizations," said Erdogan, but he has not the
"slightest doubt that we will conquer these terror organizations. Sooner or
later, we will get through this".
Erdogan
thanked those world leaders, including Putin, U.S. President Barack Obama and
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who had called him and sent condolence
messages.
11.
Cavusoglu: Turkey and Russia should build a common future
According
to Ankara Anatolia news agency (30.06.16), Turkey and Russia should look
ahead and learn from the lessons of the past, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut
Cavusoglu said Thursday in an article published in a Russian
newspaper.
"Our
opinion is that the Turkish and Russian nations expect from us to look ahead by
taking lessons from the past experiences," Cavusoglu said
in the “Kommersant” that evaluated relations between the two
countries.
"Our
sincere wishes are that we should fulfil this expectation, we should build the
common future, and we should make a new inception," he
added.
Russian
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday that sanctions would be lifted
in accordance with instructions by Putin and that restrictions would be
“gradually” lifted in order to prevent harm to Russian producers, adding that
Russia would demand guarantees by the Turkish government to ensure the safety of
Russian tourists.
Cavusoglu
said that the relationship between Russia and Turkey would not be based on
competition but on friendship and cooperation. "We
believe that the two countries have the much of required institutional, economic
and sociocultural basis”, he said.
12.
Chapter 33 of the EU acquis opened in Brussels
According
to Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (online, 01.07.16), Chapter 33 of Turkey's
European Union accession process was opened Thursday in Brussels with EU
Minister and Chief Negotiator Ömer Çelik, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and
Finance Minister Naci Ağbal in attendance. Drawing attention to the long
stagnation in Turkey-EU relations, Çelik stressed the importance of opening
two EU accession chapters within the last six months. He said that Chapter
33 on Financial and Budgetary Provisions is directly related with full
membership: "Opening this chapter up for discussion is the most solid indicator
of Turkey's commitment to its objective of full membership." Çelik further
said that Turkey's position will be strong in Europe regardless of Britain's
exit from the EU.
Finance
Minister Naci Ağbal said that no difficulties are expected due to the opening of
Chapter 33, as Turkey's organizational capacity is adequate. Underlining the
efficient cooperation of the Finance Ministry, Ağbal said: "The Finance Ministry
will keep on making progress in enhancing the alignment and application of the
acquis in Chapter 33 as well as the other relevant
chapters."
''To
tell you the truth, Turkey is ready to and deserves to open more chapters,''
Çavuşoğlu added, underscoring that Turkey will not only open Chapter 33 in
Brussels, but will also show determination to open chapters for its EU
accession. Chapter 33 will be the 16th chapter Turkey has opened since Oct. 3,
2005, when it first launched membership negotiations. Countries hoping to join
the EU must complete negotiations in 35 chapters. Turkey's accession talks
started in 2005.
Speaking
at a televised press conference in Brussels ahead of the meeting to open Chapter
33 on Financial and Budgetary Provisions in Turkey's EU accession process,
Cavusoglu said that Turkey will not take steps backward in its fight with
terrorism, but instead will strengthen it after the suicide attack at Istanbul's
Atatürk International Airport on Tuesday, which killed over 40
people.
He
further reiterated that Turkey will not change its anti-terrorism law and EU
Minister and Chief Negotiator Ömer Çelik urged Europe to understand Turkey's
sensitivities in fighting terrorism on Thursday.
Calling
on other countries for help, Çavuşoğlu said: "It is seen that there is a
deficiency in our fight with terror, as we mostly have to fight with the border
threat of DAESH on our own",
and further emphasized the need for a plan for collective action, as collective
statements are not enough now.
Touching
on the visa liberalization, Çavuşoğlu said that Turkey has fulfilled almost all
the required criteria, adding: "We are now expecting the EU to keep its word
concerning visa liberalization" and that the issue will be discussed with the
first vice president of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, that
day.
13.
CHP poses 11 questions to Turkish Prime Minister on
ISIL
According
to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (online, 30.06.16), main
opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) head Kemal Kilicdaroglu said that he
has prepared 11 key questions about the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
(ISIL) to be answered by Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım, following the June
28 attack by the jihadist group at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport which left 44 dead
and hundreds wounded.
Kilicdaroglu
said on June 30 that he was asking the following questions “on behalf of 78
million Turkish citizens complaining about terror”, and referred to a number of
previous statements made by ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP)
officials.
-Which
government refused to call ISIL a “terrorist organization” after Turkey’s Mosul
Consulate was raided and 49 citizens were taken hostage in the summer of
2014?
-Which
Deputy said: “[The outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party] PKK and ISIL are not
terror organizations”?
-From
which party is the person who said: “ISIL, we are glad to have you. May God not
reduce your bullets”?
-During
which party’s time in office did ISIL grow and be protected? Is it true that
there are members who have joined ISIL from 70 provinces in
Turkey?
-Which
government protected and took ISIL militants under its wings for treatment in
Turkey after they were wounded in clashes in Syria? Which government sent them
back to Syria after they recovered?
-Which
government supports jihadist groups not only in Turkey but also in Syria,
including ISIL, by sending arms via trucks?
-When
did the National Security Council decide that ISIL was a terror organization?
Has the National Security Council issued such a decision?
-Which
prosecutor in Turkey has prepared an indictment against the ISIL terror
organization? On what grounds does the prosecutor’s office that has prepared
indictments on the FETÖ [Fethullahist Terrorist Organization] not prepare an
indictment for ISIL?
-Who
is the leader in Turkey of the ISIL terror organization? How can this person,
known by everyone, walk around freely in Turkey? Who is protecting this
person?
-Hundreds
of our citizens have lost their lives as a result of ISIL terror organization
attacks over the past year. Who is politically responsible for those bombs
exploding?
-The
Prime Minister said in a statement on the latest bombing that there was no
security gap that allowed it to happen. If there was no security gap, that means
there was an administrative gap. Does the Prime Minister accept this?
Meanwhile,
commenting on the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) rejection of a
parliamentary motion to found a research commission on ISIL, CHP head
Kilicdaroglu accused the party of having an “ideological affinity” with the
jihadist group.
He
also criticized President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s “U-turn” on relations with
Israel, saying this was evidence of a “narcissistic
personality”.
14.
Turkish intelligence warned of potential Istanbul airport attack around 20
days ago: Report
According
to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 30.06.16), Turkish intelligence
units sent a warning letter to related state institutions about a potential
attack by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) jihadist group
targeting Istanbul around 20 days ago, before the city’s main airport was hit in
a deadly terror attack late on June 28, a senior Turkish journalist based in
Ankara has reported.
Speaking
during a live broadcast on June 29, Doğan TV's Ankara representative Hande Fırat
stated that intelligence units sent a warning letter to all state institutions
about a possible attack on Istanbul. “Intelligence units sent a warning letter
to the top of the state and all its institutions in early June, around 20 days
ago, about Istanbul,” Fırat said.
She
added that the names of the targeted places were included on the list in the
message, with the Istanbul Atatürk Airport also
mentioned.
15.
Commentary on the new international security order in the Eastern
Mediterranean
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News newspaper (online, 01.07.16), under the title “The
Eastern Mediterranean vortex”, publishes the following commentary by Dr Ian O.
Lesser:
“In
important ways, the future of the international security order is being shaped
in the Eastern Mediterranean. A marginal theatre during the Cold War, today the
Eastern Mediterranean has moved from the periphery to the very centre of global
concerns. The land and sea space spanning the Levant, the Aegean, Egypt, and
onward to Libya, is set to be a zone of persistent chaos and conflict. NATO, the
EU, and others, including Russia and China, are now compelled to address the
challenges of strategy in the Eastern Mediterranean. In the midst of this
pervasive tension, there are a few positive opportunities, including the
potential for a Cyprus settlement, Turkish-Israeli reconciliation, and
cooperation regarding the region’s energy resources.
The
Levant and North Africa are principal theatres in the struggle to contain and
roll back violent Islamist groups bent on the control of territory and the
export of terrorism. The jihadist threat could also acquire a more significant
maritime dimension. The maritime environment is a challenging one for terrorists
who are used to operating ashore, but the threat from this quarter should not be
exaggerated. Maritime security in the Mediterranean is among the most obvious
areas for multilateral security cooperation led by NATO and the EU. Indeed, both
are already engaged in this area, including NATO’s longstanding Operation Active
Endeavour and the more recent deployment in support of refugee control in the
Aegean.
The
Eastern Mediterranean is the place where Europe’s post-enlargement external
policy is being formed and tested. Migration will be a key factor in shaping the
future of the European project, from the survival of the Schengen regime to
foreign and security policy. The close connection to internal security and
identity concerns within European societies gives the Mediterranean migration
question a sharp edge in this time of populist politics and widespread
disillusionment with elite projects and institutions.
Russia,
an old Mediterranean actor, has returned to the region in dramatic fashion after
the collapse of its Cold War-era presence. For the moment, Russia is a leading
strategic concern for NATO in the south as well as the east. Turkey is
particularly exposed to Russia’s new assertiveness around the Black Sea and the
Mediterranean.
China,
too, is acquiring greater stakes in the Eastern Mediterranean. China’s vaunted
“one belt, one road” initiative promises to bring China into the Mediterranean
world in a more direct fashion. Although a relatively marginal actor today,
China’s growing role in the region will be increasingly difficult to ignore in
the years ahead.
Arguably,
the centre of gravity in the Middle East is shifting from the Gulf to the
Mediterranean and above all, the Eastern Mediterranean. Iran plays a key role
here, with its active involvement in Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and elsewhere. If
US-Saudi relations continue to cool, the prospects for some form of limited
alignment with Iran in the fight against ISIL and Al Qaeda are likely to grow.
Disenchantment
with business as usual with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, reduced anxiety about Gulf
energy, and the rise of security concerns in the Levant and North Africa, could
encourage a broader westward shift in America’s Middle Eastern strategy. This
would unfold against the backdrop of a renewed American investment in European
security, and would imply a net shift from the Gulf to the Mediterranean in
terms of strategy and presence. The hard security dimension of European
security looking south is likely to receive more attention at NATO’s July 2016
Warsaw Summit, and afterwards.
Turkey
is the place where the eastern and southern dimensions of transatlantic strategy
meet. Turkey is hardly alone in facing the deteriorating strategic environment
in the Eastern Mediterranean, but it is certainly the most exposed transatlantic
partner. The collapse of the security order in Turkey’s neighbourhood has
understandably thrown Turkish policy into disarray. Taken together with the need
for reassurance and deterrence vis-à-vis Russia, it is not surprising that
Ankara now looks to rebuild strained ties with transatlantic security
partners.”
16.
Commentary on how Turkey's agreement with Israel will change the power
equation in the Mediterranean
Columnist
Erdal Tanas Karagol, writing in Turkish daily Yeni Safak newspaper (online,
30.06.16), analyses in the following commentary how Turkey’s agreement with
Israel will change the power equation in the
Mediterranean:
“The
vital point of Turkey-Israel relations are the Palestine issue. Turkey's
sensitivity toward this issue increased after the Justice and Development Party
(AK Party) came to power. Despite the Palestine fault line, economic and
diplomatic relations continued until then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's
‘One Minute’ scolding.
A
year after this incident the Mavi Marmara raid occurred on May 31, 2010. After
this incident, Turkey's negative attitude toward Israel did not change despite
all mediation attempts. Turkey had conditions to re-establish diplomatic
relations. Six years later, Israel accepted these
conditions.
Israel
already has obligatory relations with the countries in the region. However, the
real reason behind Israel wanting to restart its diplomatic and economic
relations is ‘power’.
The
dynamics of the global power equation changed after 2010. New developments took
place in power, especially in the region. Therefore, naturally Israel sought not
to be left out of the equation.
What
changed in the power equation of the region that caused Israel to be
concerned?
Turkey
started the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline Project (TANAP), which expects
to buy gas from Azerbaijan for itself and to serve as a bridge between TANAP and
the interested EU countries. Many actors in the power field are aiming to
establish close ties with Turkey in order to realize mutual energy
projects.
The
removal of sanctions from Iran has brought Iran back into the power equation. It
is evident that Iran wants to enter the world markets and turn its resource into
income.
The
Northern Iraq Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is determined to cooperate
with Turkey in selling its gas and petrol on global markets despite experiencing
problems with its central government.
The
Turkish Stream project was shelved after the Russia-Turkey plane crisis. Being
50 percent dependent on Russia for its power, Turkey sought alternatives, while
many countries want to serve Turkey in this field.
Therefore
a pre-agreement was signed with Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter in
order to avoid the negative effects of the energy crisis with Russia. Within
this scope, the new period of constructing a power storage and gasification
terminal has started.
Turkey
making power agreements with different countries strengthens it in the power
equation of the region. Regional countries are becoming interested in Turkey for
energy agreements. In addition to all this, Israel's energy report does not look
good at all.
HOW
WILL ISRAEL CHANGE THE POWER EQUATION?
The
groundwork for the agreements with Egypt and Jordan is not ready yet. Another
question is: To whom will Israel sell the gas it discovered in Leviathan and
Tamar in 2009? Will it transport this natural gas through the LNG line or
pipelines? Besides, it needs investments to do this transfer as well as
financing.
In
this respect, Turkey offers a low-cost and secure route. Israel will provide
Turkey with natural gas and also use Turkey as a bridge to supply the EU market
with natural gas. Otherwise it is very hard for Israel to enter the global
market without Turkey's help.
Thus,
Turkey's strategic position is very important for Israel's natural gas to meet
the demand. Yet, while Turkey uses its advantage it should not forget that this
natural gas is actually Palestine's.
THE
POWER EQUATION IS OPEN TO NEW MOVES
Northern
Iraq entering the EU market with TANAP and Israel entering it with other
projects restricts Russian and Iranian hegemony in the
region.
Therefore
Israel will try to create competition among regional competitors like Iran and
Russia in order to provide energy to the EU market via Turkey. This will
especially affect Iran in revising the high prices it requests from Turkey for
natural gas.
Israel
having the upper hand in energy directly depends on its relations with Turkey.
Turkey should consider Israel's request to negotiate within the parameters of
both diplomacy and energy dynamics. Every step Turkey takes will determine the
future of Palestine and the dynamics of the regional power
equation.”
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
