Turkey's Eastern Mediterranean Ambitions Create Opportunity for Israel, Greece, and Egypt
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Turkey's recent maritime agreement with Libya, which challenges existing regional boundaries, has sparked a strategic response from Greece and Egypt. Greece is expanding its exclusive economic zone eastward in coordination with Egypt to counter Turkey's claims. The article argues this move by Turkey aims to control Eastern Mediterranean infrastructure and presents an opportunity for Israel to strengthen ties with Greece and Egypt, backed by the U.S., to solidify the IMEC maritime corridor.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Turkey's maritime deal with Libya has intensified strategic competition in the Eastern Mediterranean.
- Greece and Egypt are expanding their exclusive economic zone to counter Turkey's claims.
- Turkey's strategy reportedly rejects UNCLOS and seeks control over regional maritime infrastructure.
- The article frames Turkey's actions as an attempt to disrupt the U.S.-backed IMEC vision.
- Israel is urged to collaborate with Greece and Egypt to secure the IMEC maritime corridor with U.S. support.
The Eastern Mediterranean has become a strategic arena where Turkey is actively challenging regional maritime agreements and aspiring to control energy and communication infrastructure. This comes after the Libyan parliament in Benghazi re-ratified a maritime agreement with Turkey, a move Ankara declared "irrevocable." This action directly counters a 2020 maritime agreement between Greece and Egypt, which delineated exclusive economic zones. In response, Greece has agreed in principle with Egypt to expand their exclusive economic zone eastward, aiming to thwart the Turkish-Libyan demarcation.
Turkey's strategy reportedly rejects the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, arguing that islands lack exclusive economic rights. Ankara has shifted from soft power to a more assertive approach, deploying research vessels escorted by warships and signing questionable maritime deals. The ultimate goal, according to the article, is to exert control over any energy infrastructure, communication cables, or shipping lanes, including the IMEC corridor, passing through the Eastern Mediterranean, requiring Turkey's approval or payment.
Greece is seen as the gateway for the IMEC vision into Europe, and Turkey's maritime pact with Libya is viewed as an attempt to disrupt this crucial link. By controlling this maritime corridor, Turkey could gain significant geopolitical leverage, potentially forcing the West to rely on overland routes through Turkey. Despite condemnation, Egypt's Foreign Minister met with his Turkish counterpart, emphasizing dialogue while navigating the complex situation.
The article suggests that any Turkish attempt to disrupt energy infrastructure or communication cables between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel, which could hinder the U.S. vision for the region, should be met with a strong American response and targeted sanctions. For Israel, this presents a critical moment to decisively collaborate with Greece and Egypt to formally establish the western maritime wing of the IMEC, with explicit U.S. backing. This could involve public ground-breaking ceremonies for energy pipelines and infrastructure, and potentially inviting India, a key partner in the IMEC's eastern wing, to participate with its naval vessels.
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