62nd round of Greek-Turkish exploratory talks in Athens – Reaction to the EuroAsia Interconnector cable

Defence Redefined

16/03/2021

According to state television TRT, in diplomatic notes to Greece, Israel and the EU, Turkey asked these countries to apply for a permit before carrying out work in its continental shelf in the Eastern Mediterranean. 

In particular, it is stated that “as it appears on March 8, 2021, a memorandum of understanding was signed on the project of the EuroAsia Interconnector cable, which is supported by the EU and provides for the interconnection of electricity networks of Greece, Cyprus and Israel.”

According to the report, diplomatic sources reacted to the images used to document the project, which show the planned route of the undersea electricity cable passing through the Turkish mainland to the eastern Mediterranean between Cyprus and Crete.

The statement said: “Under international law, if cable activities require feasibility studies, our country must give its permission for the execution of these projects in our continental shelf. If no feasibility studies are required, our country must be informed of the cable-related activities and their scope in advance and within a reasonable time. Our position was recorded in writing addressing the Embassies of Greece and Israel in Ankara and the EU Delegation to Turkey.”

Meanwhile, the 62nd round of exploratory contacts between Greece and Turkey is taking place in Athens today. 

The resumption of the exploratory talks, which had been “frozen” for more than four years, took place in January in Istanbul. 

Greek delegation will be led, as in the previous round, by Ambassador Pavlos Apostolidis, while the Turkish side will be represented by the Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister, Sedat Onal. The latter will meet the Secretary General of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Themistoklis Demiris, on Wednesday. 

Greek diplomatic sources emphasize, from the first moment of the resumption of exploratory contacts, that this is a non-binding consultation with the sole aim of delimiting the continental shelf / EEZ between the two countries. 

For its part, Turkey seems to be seeking to give it a more political character, putting all bilateral issues on the table. Ibrahim Kalin, a representative and close associate of the Turkish President, did not attend the Turkish delegation in Athens. His presence in the 61st round was taken as a message of upgrading the consultations in Ankara.

Also read: 62nd round of Greek-Turkish exploratory talks in Athens – Reaction to the EuroAsia Interconnector cable