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The time of the Eastern Mediterranean is approaching, as the next twenty-four hours are expected to bring momentous developments in relation to the possible resolution of bilateral disagreements in packages, in order to open the way for regional cooperation in the field of energy.
The behind-the-scenes moves made by the United States are close to a climax, but this does not necessarily mean that they will have a positive outcome. That is why the protagonists are choosing to move discreetly, keeping a low profile.
What Washington has actually put in the frame is an attempt to resolve the differences between pairs in our region in order to create a fertile ground for the creation of the Eastern Mediterranean energy corridor. A corridor that would connect the region's reserves to European markets via Turkey. The packages range from the Cyprus problem and Greek-Turkish relations to Turkey's disputes with Egypt and Lebanon's disputes with Israel.
The first substantive step will be taken next Monday with a teleconference between the Foreign Ministers of Cyprus, Greece, Israel and the United States. The teleconference will deal almost exclusively with the issue of multilateral energy cooperation. It will discuss the grand idea of the "energy corridor of peace", electrical interconnection between the states and green development.
The next scheduled act will take place at the White House on May 16, with the meeting between the US President and the Greek Prime Minister. Until then, behind-the-scenes consultations between officials of the Eastern Mediterranean states and the U.S. will continue.
Greek Cypriot approach
Nicosia and Athens have already signaled in all directions that they are not opposed to cooperation with Turkey, as long as this cooperation takes place on the basis of international legitimacy. That is, if Turkey respects international law, ceases to be indifferent to the rights of other states, ends its hostile actions and abandons its expansionist ambitions.
Only these can be the starting point for a dialogue that has a chance of a successful outcome. Otherwise there is no basis for discussion, Nicos Anastasiades and Kyriakos Mitsotakis agreed yesterday in Athens.
Beyond that, the President will advocate possible energy cooperation only if Turkey recognizes the Republic of Cyprus and negotiates with it on maritime borders. If this happens, then the most important opportunity for a solution in the history of the Cyprus problem will be created, despite the fact that the Turkish government continues to maintain that it will not cooperate to solve the Cyprus problem before the presidential elections in the country in 2023.[/B] The President of the Republic calls on the Turkish Cypriot leader to abandon positions that depart from the agreed framework and UN Security Council resolutions, and to cooperate in order to restart the dialogue from where it left off in Crans-Montana.
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