Mediterranean drilling produces spurt of 'diplomacy'
Greek Cypriots have been boosting their diplomatic actions to form an anti-Turkey bloc in the eastern Mediterranean.
The heat continues to rise in the eastern Mediterranean between Turkey and Greek Cyprus. There is a long list of problems between Ankara and Nicosia, starting with the status of Cyprus and exploration of hydrocarbon reserves around the island.
Turkey's basic approach to managing the crisis is to resort to disruptive gunboat diplomacy. But Nicosia, which has no navy or air force, has a different approach, relying on diplomatic moves for its anti-Turkey bloc-building efforts. A review of diplomatic efforts by Greek Cypriots in the past three months shows how they are trying to confront Turkey’s aggressive tendencies.
For example, on Sept. 11, Greek Cypriots hosted a surprising guest: Saudi Arabian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Assaf paid his first high-level visit to Nicosia.
“One of the main focuses of Cyprus’ foreign policy is the enhancement and expansion of relations with its neighboring Middle East and Gulf countries,” Greek Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Christodoulides said in a statement issued after the visit. "I had the opportunity to brief the minister on the latest developments in the trilateral cooperation mechanisms Cyprus and Greece have established with countries in the region, including Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and Palestine," he said.
