The Cyprus Issue And Natural Gas In The Eastern Mediterranean – Analysis

https://www.eurasiareview.com/03092019-the-cyprus-issue-and-natural-gas-in-the-eastern-mediterranean-analysis/

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...enjoyed reading this analysis.

...i would like to remind the readers, though, that it is not just UNCLOS which Erdogan's Turkey ignores. As he has said himself about the Treaty of Lausanne, that it is gone as far as he is concerned, "tossed out a window".

Indeed, oil and gas seem to be a locus for hostile acts, but it is not the real issue. It is total supremacy of the sea, this sea and the Aegean, Erdogan in his demands, seeks. As in Syria, Iraq, and Iran (let's not forget Libya, and Sudan), he demonstrates the same desire to represent "Turkishness" as an expanding power Imperialistically, (in affect regressing to an Ottoman past,) out to disrupt in effect (from his point of view) the terms which created a modern Turkey, and the Modern world.

Cyprus small and seemingly insignificant as it is, has, as allies all its neighbours, but Turkey. The success of the East Med.Gas Forum is evidence of this. Its Hope, small as it is, in a region with very little but bitter rancor is worth noting. Turkey is (and always has been) welcome to join them as an equal among equals, she has chosen to isolate herself instead.

Yet, a small change in intentions on Erdogan's part, by recognising all Cypriots as Cypriots first, may end the division of those "Turkish", and those not "Turkish", not just in Cyprus, ending the Problem, but in Turkey itself, divided, now, more than ever for the same reason.

...without the existence of Cyprus, "Turkishness" wins (over Universal Principals and the Rule of Law). With Cyprus, (modern) Turkey (and the rest of the world) has an ally.