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Frankfurter Rundschau sees escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean

"The tension between Turkey and Cyprus for raw materials in the eastern Mediterranean is escalating," the German newspaper Frankfurter Rundschau (FR) observes in a report from Turkey, referring to the "arrival of ExxonMobile's Stena Icemax drilling machine at plot 10, 150 km southwest of the divided island."

According to the Frankfurt daily, the planned drilling begins "a dangerous power struggle, because Turkey has repeatedly criticized in threatening tones the Greek Cypriot plans to exclusively exploit the underwater energy reserves in the 200-nautical mile zone" , while in February "Ankara had forced out the drilling rig from the Italian group Eni".

Also, according to FR, "the deposits that have been identified so far are worth billions and hence Turkey which is poor in raw materials has raised strategic claims" [...] and "for some time, gas fields have become one more a point of confrontation between Greece and Turkey ".

The German correspondent points out that "a crucial role in the conflict is played by the unresolved Cyprus problem. Because Turkey does not recognize Cyprus, it does not recognize its right to grant licenses for drilling and calls for the sharing of gas fields with the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" only recognized by Ankara.

In addition to this, Turkey does not raise claims on plot 10, but it raises for other parts of the Cypriot EEZ. The Cypriot government explains that it will distribute profits on fair terms, but only if a peace solution has been found for Cyprus, which, after the failure of the last negotiations, is farther than ever. "

The newspaper continues, noting that "the Cyprus problem is related to Ankara's refusal so far to sign the International Convention on the Law of the Sea concerning the exploitation of underwater deposits. Instead, it adopts the arbitrary view that only continental countries are entitled to the 200-nautical mile zone (EEZ), but not islands such as Cyprus.

Based on this view, the deposits are located in Turkish jurisdiction, but overlap simultaneously with the EEZs of Israel, Lebanon and Egypt, countries with which Cyprus is planning to share. In response, Turkey launched the strengthening of its naval force. This gives rise to a new dangerous crisis in Europe," says Frankfurter Rundschau.

Finally, the paper states that "Nicosia, instead of using resources as a tool of reconciliation with Turkey, on the contrary, through the energy alliance with Israel and Egypt, as well as the planned East Med pipeline, exacerbates the isolation of Ankara and therefore the tension."