How to solve East-Mediterranean Conflict

In November 2019, a maritime-boundary accord that could complicate Ankara’s dispute over energy exploration with other countries between Turkey and Libya’s internationally recognized government was signed. In response to that, Greece declared a maritime-boundary agreement with Eygpt that clashes with Turkey’s claims.

Turkish navy forces that escort seismic survey ship Oruc Reis, Greek, and French navy forces were involved in the issue. President Erdogan after this incident said that ‘’ “will understand that Turkey has the political, economic, and military strength to tear up immoral maps and documents….They will either understand the language of politics and diplomacy or on the field through bitter experiences.”… “We are ready for every possibility and every consequence.”

Both sides are in disagreement with their maximalist claims on their exclusive economic zones for years. Turkey-Libya accord on the maritime boundaries doesn’t recognize the EEZ of that Crete-Rhodes islands. This is logical for Turkey since if Greek calls were accepted it means that a small island Kastellorizo with roughly 500 people would have the same EEZ as Turkey, a country that has the longest shoreline in the Mediterranean.

It is undeniable that every foreign policy issue is related to domestic politics. Erdogan uses this tool by playing an aggressive role in foreign affairs and this is a bit related to increasing state capacity and his ambitions of becoming a more important leader in the region and globe.

Although both agents Turkey and Greece try to justify their actions, the best way for them to pursue a compromise rather than a disaccord. As recent attempts to punish Turkey to coerce don’t seem like give a result of the long-term or Germany’s mediation efforts. I believe that Greece and Turkey start to negotiate the issue on the table. The resources of the Mediterranean could be used as beneficial for every agent when a righteous way is found.