EU to Tackle Turkish Violations in Mediterranean on Monday

Two Turkish frigates escorting a ship suspected of carrying weapons on its way to Libya, according to Greek media reports published on Wednesday.

Earlier, the European Union promised to punish Turkey for threatening the interests of Cyprus and Greece. Greece formally requested the inclusion of "Turkey's behavior in the region" on the agenda of the European Union (EU) foreign ministers meeting next Monday.

[caption id="attachment_129256" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Turkish Fatih Drill Ship[/caption]

“The EU is concerned about Turkish moves and sees it as a threat to its security,” said Al-Arabiya TV channel correspondent in Brussels. 

He noted that Greece stated in its message that Turkey refuses to stop sea exploration.

According to Al-Arabiya correspondent’s sources, the European Union may discuss or approve sanctions against Turkey.

The sources revealed that the European position interacts with Turkish violations in the Eastern Mediterranean.

On Tuesday, European Union Commissioner for External Relations Josep Borrell revealed Athena's intention to make this request.

Borrell added that "Our dialogue is complicated with Turkey and Greece... I requested that the crisis with Ankara be included in the EU foreign ministers meeting Monday.”

Turkish-Libyan Illegal Maritime Deal

In a related context, the Greek and Italian foreign ministers signed in Athens an agreement to demarcate the borders of the exclusive economic zone in the Ionian Sea separating the two neighboring countries.

"Today is a historic day," Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said after signing the bilateral agreement dealing with common marine fishing rights.

The bilateral agreement aims to define marine fishing areas between the two countries. Dendias indicated that the new agreement confirms a previous agreement signed in 1977 with Rome that guarantees "the right of islands to have marine areas.”

This point is important for Athens, which is facing severe tension with neighboring Turkey, which is tied up in the oil fields in the region, especially the right of Cyprus to undertake any exploration of oil resources in the Cyprus exclusive economic zone.

Since last year, Ankara has been offering strength by sending exploration ships to the Cypriot waters, despite warnings from Washington, the European Union and Egypt.

To strengthen its position in the region, Turkey signed in November a controversial maritime agreement with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), aimed at expanding the region in which the two countries conduct joint exploration operations.

[caption id="attachment_98343" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Turkish president with Fayez Al-Sarraj[/caption]

"According to international law, the demarcation of the boundaries of maritime areas is carried out according to legal agreements and is not without basis such as the agreement between Turkey and the GNA’s Head Fayez al-Sarraj, referring to "the escalation of violations of law by Turkey" versus Greece.

The Greek foreign minister added, "These actions, similar to the hostile rhetoric of Turkey, embody its destabilizing role," noting that Athens responds "systematically to provocation.”

The exclusive marine areas of each country determine the marine area in which they are entitled to invest marine and oil resources.

The demarcation of the exclusive economic zones between the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea is an issue that fuels tension after the discovery of huge oil fields in the region in recent years.

To counter Ankara's attempts to impose an influence in the region, Greece, Cyprus and Israel signed in January an agreement on an "Eastmid" gas pipeline to supply energy to eastern European countries.

Experts believe that the signing of the Greek-Italian agreement could serve as a "precedent" to push the countries of the region to demarcate the borders of their exclusive marine areas in light of Turkish ambitions.

Following signing a maritime borders agreement with Italy, Dendias announced in statements that he will be heading to Cairo on June 18 to sign another agreement with the Egyptian authorities, according to the Italian Agenzia Nova.