Myrna Nikolaidou explores the controversial statements made by Maria Gavouneli, Director General of ELIAMEP (Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy), who recently suggested that Greece should recognize the “pseudo-state” in Northern Cyprus, “ELIAMEP calls for Greece to recognize the Pseudo-State”. This comes after Gavouneli’s earlier remarks about Greece potentially negotiating the extension of its territorial waters to 12 miles with Turkey, and linking the “unstable stagnation” in Greek-Turkish relations to the resumption of Cyprus negotiations.
Gavouneli questions whether, in order to improve bilateral relations between Greece and Turkey, the “4+1 equation” involving the pseudo-state should be considered. Although she does not name the fifth member of the equation, the Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis had earlier hinted at it, pointing to the pseudo-state. Gavouneli’s position seems to support a potential five-party conference involving Egypt, Turkey, Cyprus, and the pseudo-state to discuss the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and to legitimize the pseudo-state in Greece’s foreign policy.
In an article in NEA, the Director General of ELIAMEP asks: ‘Is this a matter of weighing the two communicating vessels, which requires the balancing of both problem areas before we dare to think about an overall improvement in relations between the two countries? “Has the bilateral Greek-Turkish relationship reached its limits and cannot it be taken to the next level without also normalizing the trilateral interaction, even in the form of 4 + 1 or any other equation?” He concludes “It is clear, however, that those who imagined or feared that the two problems can be discussed and resolved separately are far from reality. Our issues are as common as the sea when it rains.”
Elsewhere in her article, she points out that a year ago the Cyprus problem was effectively abandoned, calling it “an issue almost dead with death by abandonment”, which has become a “resurrected Lazarus”!
Gavounelis’ outrageous statements are even more disturbing if one takes into account the serious allegations made by the experienced diplomat George Avfantis about the participation of ELIAMEP in secret talks with Ankara, which according to him led to the resignation of the Director of the Foreign Ministry, Mr. Roussos Koundouros.
Nikolaidou also highlights the controversy surrounding Gavouneli’s views, mentioning serious allegations made by diplomat George Avfantis regarding secret talks between ELIAMEP and Ankara, which allegedly contributed to the resignation of Greece’s Foreign Ministry Director, Roussos Koundouros. Koundouros reportedly denounced secret diplomacy that bypassed official channels, including the discussions involving the pseudo-state.
The article further discusses how the Greek government, through statements by Gerapetritis, appears to be reconsidering its position on delimiting maritime zones in the Eastern Mediterranean. The potential for a quadripartite conference involving Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, and Egypt to resolve EEZ disputes is under discussion, but the inclusion of the pseudo-state remains a contentious issue.
Indeed, Mr Gerapetritis referred to four neighbouring countries. Among them is Cyprus. Which he simply calls “Cyprus” and not “Republic of Cyprus”. And given Turkey’s insistence on a two-state solution in the Greater Horn of Africa, the question arises: will Ankara agree to participate in a quadrilateral conference on the delimitation of maritime zones or will it insist on expanding it to a “five-party” conference by including the Pseudo-state?
In any case, Ankara’s plan for the “recognition” of the Pseudo-state through energy agreements has already begun to emerge. In recent statements to the Ada TV channel, occupation leader Ersin Tatar said that “if there is an agreement here, oil and gas will be transported to the EU through Turkey. A much more economical and secure system will be formed. EU countries accept the issue of electricity transmission by cable, but the Greek Cypriots do not. It can be included in the interconnected system.”
He added that the transit of ships and areas of cooperation on many issues will be increased and that air interconnections will also take place through Turkey. “If there is an agreement, this place will surpass Dubai. The reason why these things are not happening is the mentality of Greek Cypriots not to see Turkish Cypriots as equals,” Tatar claimed, once again blaming the Greek side for not recognizing the invasion and occupation!
It is clear then that Ankara is operating on the basis of the Guler doctrine, i.e. that no project can be carried out in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean without Turkey’s permission, now putting the Pseudo-state in the game. Is this why Nicosia has reservations about the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection project and why the planning for the marine parks has been frozen? However, although the Turkish narrative is well known, what remains unknown and extremely dangerous is whether the views of ELIAMEP have indeed found favor with the Greek government.
Ultimately, Nikolaidou raises concerns about the implications of ELIAMEP’s support for recognizing the pseudo-state, especially in light of Turkey’s ongoing efforts to include it in regional energy projects and negotiations.
Source: ESTIA TΗΣ KΥΡΙΑΚΗΣ
