Cyprus and Greece Warn of Maritime Deal Consequences Between Ankara and Damascus

Cyprus and Greece Warn of Maritime Deal Consequences Between Ankara and Damascus
Turkey's Attempt to Exploit Syrian Situation for Maritime Agreements Violating Cypriot Sovereignty Reflects Expansionist Policy in Eastern Mediterranean
December 25, 2024, 8:57 pm

اليونان وتركيا

Greece and Cyprus condemned the expected treaty between Turkey and the interim government formed by HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani to determine their exclusive economic zones in the Mediterranean, considering it illegal and violating Cypriot sovereign rights.

Cypriot government spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis stated that any Turkey-Syria maritime agreement must follow international law, particularly UNCLOS, respecting Cyprus's rights.

Greek Foreign Ministry denounced the proposed maritime agreement as "illegal." A senior official told ERT News that Syria's transitional circumstances invalidate such agreements.

Greek Defense Ministry sources consider a potential Ankara-Damascus agreement "hostile," negatively impacting Greek-Turkish relations. Naftemporiki portal reported this would provoke strong responses for violating EU member Cyprus's sovereignty.

The developments follow Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu's announcement of planned maritime border talks with Syria, and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's meeting with Abu Mohammed al-Jolani in Damascus emphasizing Syrian territorial unity.

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