Expert: Turkey's ambitions in Mediterranean may reach Greece

A political expert wrote in an opinion article published by the Greek newspaper Kathimerini about Turkish military activities in the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, which could extend to a confrontation with neighboring Greece

25 June, 2020 08:16

NEWS DESK

There are indications that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has adopted a strategy developed by "ultra-nationalist" military officials, called the "blue homeland," said Lehigh University professor and senior researcher at the Council on Foreign Relations, Henry Barque.

The blue homeland includes control of the Aegean Sea, and most of the Mediterranean and Black Sea, which Barque says is the reason behind Turkey's investment in expanding and modernizing its navy.

Ongoing tensions between Greece and Turkey over a territorial dispute over offshore gas and oil claims in the eastern Mediterranean were exacerbated after Ankara signed a maritime demarcation deal with the Libyan National Accord government in November, which aims to give Turkey extended access to hydrocarbon drilling rights in the region.

Greece, Cyprus and Egypt, which is seeking to build a pipeline to carry gas to Europe via that water with Israel, said the agreement was illegal.

After the maritime agreement, Turkey gained a foothold in war-torn Libya after providing significant military support to the National Accord government in its fight against the Libyan National Army, which was supported by Russia, France, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates.

Barque also cited the cases of Turkey's regional expansion in Syria, where a series of Turkish attacks were carried out to combat the SDF.

He said, "Turkish victories in Syria and Libya have been made possible by the unwillingness of Washington and Europe to stand before Erdogan, which nurtures his sense of being an indomitable person."

"Erdogan's confidence in past military activities in the region can inspire him, to decide that this is the right time to challenge Greece, an effort that the president will gain public support in Turkey," Barque added.

"The doctrine of the so-called blue homeland makes it clear that Turkey does not recognize post-World War I arrangements for the Aegean Sea," he said.

"Turkey claims many Greek islands and the EEZ of Greece, and there are hints about gas exploration near the Greek island of Crete," the expert concluded.