February 2021
Just three days before the resumption of exploratory
contacts between Athens and Ankara, Turkish Foreign
Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu reminded Greece yesterday that
in the event it extends its territorial waters in the
Aegean it will be a cause for war, or casus belli.
Speaking to Turkish journa-lists at the end of his
two-day visit to Brussels, Cavusoglu said that "Turkey’s
position on the issue of the Aegean has not changed."
"The decision taken by the Turkish parliament has not
changed," he said, referring to the 1995 declaration by
the House that if Greece extends its territorial water
to12 nautical miles, as it reserves the right to do so
under international law, this would constitute a casus
belli.
At the same time, the European Union appears to have
softened its stance on the issue of sanctions against
Turkey for its violations of Cyprus’ exclusive economic
zone.
This change in attitude has allowed member-states that
were reluctant to impose new sanctions in the first
place to put a freeze on such a move, as analysts note
that Ankara’s recent charm offensive is paying
dividends.
"We have seen a significant change of attitude on the
part of Turkey, regarding Greece, Cyprus and other
issues," a European diplomat told Kathimerini. "Such
changes have taken place in the past and have proven to
be temporary, but this time it looks like something more
substantial."
The same source said sanctions will remain on the table
as an option, but added that most member-states want to
wait and see if Turkey’s new approach will last.
"Therefore there will be no decision on sanctions on
Monday; now is not the time to speed up this process,"
the European diplomat concluded.
Meanwhile, consultations of the Working Party of Foreign
Relations Counsellors (RELEX), which convened last
Thursday, over possible new sanctions against Turkey are
ongoing.
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