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Turkey has engaged in preparations to protect its sovereignty as various countries boost military deployments in the Mediterranean using the Syrian war as an excuse, as the Greek administration of the Republic of Cyprus splits energy reserves. In this context, the Turkish Naval Forces Command submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stating that Turkey should establish a naval base in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
To protect sovereign rights
The base will enable the protection of Northern Cyprus’ sovereignty as well as facilitate and fortify Turkey’s rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean, preventing the occupation of sea energy fields, and strengthening Turkey’s hand in the Cyprus peace process talks.
It is recommended that the proposed naval base be established as an independent facility, similar to the British base in the region.
Mediterranean teeming with Western powers
Western powers – mainly the U.S. and Britain – working to extend the Syrian war have boosted their military presence in the Eastern Mediterranean. Warships from Russia, France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Canada, Portugal, Greece and Denmark have also anchored in the area.
A Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Cabinet minister on Thursday voiced support for Turkey amid the U.S. sanctions on the country.Tolga Atakan, minister of public works and transportation, said that Turkey is facing “a serious global attack” during his visit to his Turkish counterpart Cahit Turhan in the capital Ankara.“Turkey is not alone and the Cypriot people stand with their full support,” Atakan added.Ankara municipality to stop issuing licenses for McDonald’s, Burger KingRelations between Ankara and Washington have been rocky since Aug. 1, when the U.S. imposed sanctions on two Turkish government ministers after Turkey refused to release an American pastor facing terrorism-related charges.Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump upped the ante by doubling U.S. tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports.In response, Turkey raised tariffs on several U.S.-made goods, including alcohol and tobacco products and vehicles.'We won't let financial attacks hurt Turkish industry'Turkish traders suspend $50mln iPhone imports after Erdoğan callTurkey, China are neighbors and partners, says envoy
Northern Cypriot people stand with Turkey: Minister
Arena for energy struggles
The Greek administration of the Republic of Cyprus is working to establish control over the Eastern Mediterranean energy fields.
It is cutting deals with all countries except Turkey, namely Israel, in order to limit Ankara’s naval authority.
Turkey’s precautionary plan is ready
Actors have already started to take sides in the Eastern Mediterranean, which is of critical importance because of its energy reserves worth billions of dollars. The area is also significant because it is a key route in world trade and energy traffic.
Turkey has continued to voice a strong stance against violations in the Eastern Mediterranean on various platforms, and has prepared a precautionary plan.
Turkey’s maritime jurisdiction has resurfaced on the agenda as a power struggle regarding energy reserves in the eastern Mediterranean continue. It is claimed that there are natural gas reserves in Turkey’s maritime jurisdiction that could meet 572 years’ worth of the country’s energy needs.Greece, which seeks control of energy deposits of the eastern Mediterranean, is trying to draw sea borders via Libya and Crete. Meanwhile, the Greek Cypriot administration is negotiating with Egypt and Israel.According to Dr. Cihat Yaycı’s “The Issue of Sharing Marine Jurisdiction in the eastern Mediterranean and Turkey,” this region boasts rich energy resources.Considering the size of the total hydrocarbon deposits in the eastern Mediterranean, Dr. Yaycı emphasized that it would be sufficient to meet 572 years’ worth of Turkey's natural gas needs. According to Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) estimates, the eastern Mediterranean is also rich in gas hydrate deposits, which have been dubbed as the energy of the future.TurkStream's nearshore works start in Kıyıköy, TurkeyTurkey boosts efforts to protect eastern MediterraneanGreece is trying strike a deal with the Greek Cypriot administration. In some maps published by Israel, the Greek Exclusive Economic Zone is shown as the continuation of South Cyprus.However, Turkey has increased its efforts in the face of this cooperation. It recently halted Italian ships who sought to conduct drilling in the Turkish Republic of Cyprus with warships.South Cyprus is attempting to sign an agreement with Egypt and Libya over oil exploration sites it has set up in the main land state of Egypt and Israel, which accepted the deal despite incurring losses in order to spite Turkey.Turkey’s place in Euro-Caspian energy developmentTurkey defends rightsThe Greek Cypriot administration and Greece are trying forge legitimacy in the eastern Mediterranean with these agreements, contrary to international law and legitimacy. The sole purpose is to prevent Turkey from benefitting from energy resources.In response, Turkey is declaring its rights as per the Exclusive Economic Zone and affirms its determination to defend its rights. Turkey’s previous maritime jurisdiction areas were redrawn by Dr. Yaycı.Greek ploys to not be allowedTurkey is seeking to determine jurisdiction areas through agreements with Libya, Egypt, Lebanon, Israel and Syria. If necessary, Turkey will notify the United Nations of the detrimental efforts of Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration.In the eastern Mediterranean, the Greek Cypriot administration, Libya, Syria, Lebanon and Israel have been declared exclusively in the Economic Zone.Turkey's Tüpraş reduces Iranian crude purchases as US sanctions loomThose who sign deals with Turkey have more to gainDr. Yaycı stated that the maritime jurisdiction deals that the Greek Cypriot administration signed with Israel, Lebanon and Egypt would do them more harm than good. Israel was afforded 4,600 square kilometers, Lebanon was afforded 3,957 square kilometers and Egypt was afforded 21,500 square kilometers of maritime jurisdiction in the deal.According to his studies, Dr. Yaycı claims that had Israel signed a deal with Turkey instead of the Greek Cypriot administration, it would have attained a far greater area of maritime jurisdiction. The same is applicable for Egypt, and now both countries are attempting to abort the deals they struck.Eastern Mediterranean gas deposits worth $3 trillionExpert findings indicate that there is a natural gas deposit in the eastern Mediterranean with a total value of $3 trillion. The U.S. Geological Survey Center estimates that there are 3.45 trillion cubic meters of natural gas and 1.7 billion barrels of oil in the Levant Basin, which lies between Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria and Israel.It is estimated that about 1.8 billion barrels of oil, 6.3 trillion cubic meters of natural gas and 6 billion barrels of liquid natural gas are located in the Nile Delta Basin. Apart from the 8 billion barrels of oil that is thought to be found around Cyprus Island, the south of Crete, called Heredot, is estimated to have 3.5 trillion cubic meters of natural gas.
East Med natural gas reserves could meet Turkey’s energy needs for 572 years
All eyes on Cyprus
The island of Cyprus is at the center of the oil and trade routes as it stands out with its presence on the energy basin in the Eastern Mediterranean. The island controls the Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean with the Indian Ocean.
Cyprus is located on the maritime trade route between the East and West, and controls the transportation routes of Middle Eastern and Central Asian oil, which constitutes more than half of the world’s petroleum.
As a result, Turkey has prepared precautionary measures to implement in the face of any issues that may arise regarding this strategic location in the following years.
Turkey to ensure safety of Northern Cyprus
A Turkish naval base in the area will ensure the safety of the people of Northern Cyprus, and show once more that Ankara stands by the island. The naval base will allow Turkey to protect its rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The base will contribute greatly to military precautions taken against the maritime jurisdiction declared by the Greek administration of the Republic of Cyprus, the deals it is dishing out, and the hydrocarbon exploration grants it is allowing by ignoring Turkey and Northern Cyprus.
Air base in Northern Cyprus
Turkey already has the Geçitkale air base in Northern Cyprus. The base was previously home to F-16 fighter jets, but has been closed for an extended period of time. The base could be restored and reopened, however for this to occur, the high voltage line and electricity cables must be moved underground.
Although this matter was once on the agenda, no steps have yet been taken. If the high voltage line is moved underground, it will no longer pose a danger to aircraft landing at the base, thus Geçitkale would become a highly likely candidate for Turkey’s air base in Northern Cyprus.
Turkish base to reduce reaction time
A Turkish base in the region would reduce the reaction time for military and humanitarian action. A naval base established by Turkey would also enable the region to become more peaceful, as it would quell efforts by other actors to stir up unrest.