It repeats the “Syria model” strengthening the leadership of the two contenders in the Middle East and Mediterranean area
In a joint statement issued from İstanbul today shortly after the inauguration ceremony of the TurkStream gas pipeline, the Presidents of the Republic of Turkey and the Russian Federation said:
“We, the Presidents of Turkey and Russia, have been developing constructive bilateral relations in a wide spectrum of areas on the basis of mutual respect. Today’s inauguration of TurkStream natural gas pipeline which we are realizing here in İstanbul is a concrete example of this mutually beneficial relationship. We are pleased that our cooperation not only serves to enhance the interests of our two peoples but also contribute to addressing regional problems … We have been following with great concern the recent developments, particularly the intensified fighting around Tripoli, in long-suffering Libya. The worsening situation in Libya is undermining the security and stability of Libya’s wider neighbourhood, the entire Mediterranean region, as well as the African continent, triggering irregular migration, further spread of weapons, terrorism and other criminal activities including illicit trafficking … We reaffirm our strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Libya. Lasting peace and stability in the country can only be achieved by a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process based on sincere and inclusive dialogue among Libyans.”
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu [photo below], speaking alongside his Russian counterpart Sergej Lavrov, added: “Our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Russian head of state Vladimir Putin today called for a ceasefire to start on January 12 at midnight.” Earlier Erdoğan, who sent troops for training and coordination to defend the legitimate Government of National Accord of Fāyiz Muṣṭafā as-Sarraj, had criticised the presence of Russian irregular militias (denied by Moscow) cheek by jowl with Gen. Khalīfa Belqāsim Ḥaftar.
Turkey has been excluded from the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum, established earlier last year by Egypt, Cyprus, Israel, Greece, Jordan, Palestine and Italy. Turkey has responded by signing two defence agreements with the GNA: one on security and military cooperation, including the sharing of intelligence and naval weapons; the other on maritime borders in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The European Union and its member countries, increasingly divided by disputes over their respective national interests, are now giving way to the decisive and concrete diplomatic initiatives of the two hegemonic powers in the area. One can only be satisfied if the solutions to the regional crises and the stabilisation of the area come through the negotiations of two willing actors, one of which (fortunately or unfortunately) is not a member of the European Union but is still a NATO member.
Europe should reflect on!
