The decision to suspend work on the laying of the infamous electrical interconnection cable with Cyprus has led to Greece ‘s absolute international humiliation .
On the one hand, this decision has created a dangerous precedent as the Greek Government has de facto recognized Turkey‘s right to have a say in any movement in the Aegean .
This means that Greece will no longer be able to decide independently even on the laying of cables for the electrification of Greek islands . Indeed, our country has retreated to the six-mile zone of our territorial waters . However, the distances between the islands are greater . Any movement, laying or exploitation will also pass through international waters, in which Turkey has imposed its presence.
While Greece has not even declared an EEZ, Turkey initially imposed the implementation of the Turkish-Libyan memorandum (even though Athens calls it illegal) and is now raising claims beyond that, as it recently did north of Crete.
This situation has caused embarrassment in Cyprus and anger in Israel. The question therefore arises, what will Foreign Minister Gerapetritis have to discuss when he meets today with his counterparts from Israel, Gintion Saar, and Cyprus , Konstantinos Kompos ?
These meetings will take place under the shadow of the abandonment (the official position of Athens speaks of a “freezing”) of the electrical interconnection, about which the Turkish media is already exulting .
Characteristically, we mention that the CNN Türk television network speaks of ” Greece’s withdrawal ” from work that would be carried out in the southeastern Aegean ” in areas of Turkish maritime jurisdiction “. The network even reminds us that: ” Last July, Greece again attempted to carry out work with an Italian ship, without requesting Turkey’s permission. At that time, Turkey had sent five warships to the area to closely monitor the Italian ship and the two Greek ships. The tension had decreased after the Italian ship requested permission from Turkey “.
For the Israeli Foreign Minister, this retreat by Greece is a second cause of anger , as it was preceded by Gerapetritis’ visit to Damascus on February 9, where he essentially recognized the jihadist government , which is currently carrying out uncontrolled massacres of Christians .
Now, after the Turkish bans on the cable prevailed , there is a serious credibility issue for Greece . Which the Cypriot minister can raise politely and mildly, but there is no doubt that the Israeli will point it out insistently.
Let us recall that after Gerapetritis’ visit to Damascus, Mr. Saar had warned about the attempts of Greek policy in the region, predicting the massacres of Christians, Kurds and Alevis . Now he comes to Greece vindicated and finds himself facing a new retreat by Greece, which constitutes a slander .
The question is what the Greek Foreign Minister can answer to the questions that his Israeli counterpart is sure to ask. Will he repeat what he said on Greek television, namely that tensions with Turkey were avoided?
