As reported by Hurriyet’s English-language edition, Turkey is in advanced talks with the new Syrian leadership to establish an Exclusive Economic Zone. 

The Turkish media sites statements by the Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, according to which Ankara and the new Syrian regime are going to sign an agreement on the delimitation of the maritime jurisdictional zones between them.

This agreement, as stated by the Turkish minister, is part of a wider action plan in Ankara for the reunification and development of Syria after the overthrow of the Assad regime. According to the same statements, Turkey plans to reactivate airports in Syria, restore rail connections, and upgrade the country’s road infrastructure.

Emphasis is also placed on the development of telecommunication services in order to support the operation of basic structures and to facilitate access to international markets.

A delegation of the Turkish Energy Ministry will travel to Syria “soon” to discuss potential energy cooperation, including the transfer of electricity to reduce energy shortages, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said late yesterday.  

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Reactions from Athens – Nicosia

Which intention to conclude an agreement between Turkey and Syria, as countries with adjacent coasts, should be based on International law and especially on the customary international law of the sea as reflected in UNCLOS, and take into account the rights of the Republic of Cyprus in the area states in Cypriot Government Spokesman Constantinos Letymiotis made his statement to the Cyprus News Agency.

Commenting on reports in the Turkish Media, Mr. Letymiotis said that they are closely monitoring the developments and evaluating the situation constantly, from the first moment. Any attempt to challenge, influence, or misrecognize the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus constitutes a violation of International Law and the Republic of Cyprus will take all available measures at the international and European level, said the Government Spokesperson.

Mr. Letympiotis added that the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulidis, in coordination with the Prime Minister of Greece, has informed the leaders of the European Union about the possible Turkish strategies, receiving European support.

The transitional situation in Syria does not legitimise any agreement on the EEZ, say Greek diplomatic sources who were asked to comment on what was announced by the Minister of Transport of Turkey regarding an agreement on the demarcation of an Exclusive Economic Zone with the new government of Syria.

Athens gives a strict and clear response to these looming developments. This is a transitional situation in Syria, which does not legitimise any such agreements, Greek Foreign Ministry sources tell ERT.

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