Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ proposal for five-nation talks on Eastern Mediterranean issues, with the ultimate goal of reaching an agreement on the delimitation of maritime zones and ending conflicting bilateral arrangements, has not yet been accepted by any of the intended parties (Cyprus, Egypt, Libya, Turkey). But neither has it been rejected yet.

The proposal caught the two countries it was presented to, Cyprus and Turkey, by surprise last week. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan did not react, positively or negative, to the proposal by his Greek counterpart, George Gerapetritis. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, briefed by Mitsotakis, was skeptical about Greece’s ability to draw all camps to the negotiating table.

The main obstacles to the meeting are Turkey’s consistent refusal to engage in talks with the Republic of Cyprus and Libya’s split between two centers of power.

The Foreign Ministry plans to move ahead with the four “easy” agenda items (cooperation on migration, environmental protection, energy connectivity and civil protection) before tackling the maritime zones.

Greece hopes that Turkey’s need to take part in the European Union’s SAFE financing program for defense industries will lead it to the negotiating table. It is also banking on US intervention to push Turkey toward talks.

Source: Ekathimerini.com