MacroPolis

Turkey strengthens East Med claims as Greece, Cyprus seek EU support

Turkey appears to be upping the ante in the Eastern Mediterranean as it presented its claims in the area through a collection of maps that were submitted to representatives of the foreign embassies in Ankara, last Friday.

Turkey's actions in Cypriot EEZ put Athens, Nicosia on alert

Athens and Nicosia are on alert following Turkey’s bid to drill for natural gas in waters within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus.

Shifting geopolitical balance in East Med presents prospects and pitfalls

There is no doubt that US–Turkey relations are currently at a nadir and there does not seem to be any sign of a recovery, which is keeping Athens on its toes.

After local elections in Turkey, Athens hopes recent tension with Ankara will ease

Greece is hoping that the end of the campaigning linked to the local elections held in Turkey last weekend could lead to a de-escalation of recent tension between the two countries.

EastMed pipeline close to high-level agreement, but still a long way from becoming reality

By: Georgia Nakou

The EastMed pipeline project is approaching another milestone, with a summit due to take place between Israel, Cyprus and Greece in Jerusalem on March 20.

Tsipras and Erdogan keep conversation going despite lack of specific gains

During Alexis Tsipras' state visit, the first in 11 years by a Greek prime minister to Ankara, Greece and Turkey made rather small and careful steps aimed at resolving their bilateral disputes.

Territorial waters, hydrocarbon research cause friction between Athens and Ankara

Tension between Greece and Turkey has been relatively high over the last couple of weeks due to developments related to hydrocarbon research in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Kotzias territorial waters comment not expected to spark change of approach in Athens

Athens was expecting a strong reaction from Ankara to the announcement made on Saturday by former Foreign Minister, Nikos Kotzias about the government’s plans to extend Greece’s territorial waters in the Ionian Sea and some parts of the Aegean to 12 nautical miles from the current six.

Tsipras faces challenges ahead on multiple foreign policy fronts

Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias’ resignation comes at a very crucial time for Greece’s foreign policy and for the region.

Athens resumes contact with Ankara as interest in FYROM referendum grows

The inauguration of the renovated Greek Consulate building in Izmir was considered a good chance for the resumption of talks between Athens and Ankara following the recent improvement in bilateral relations due to the release of the two Greek servicemen by Turkish authorities in mid-August after their six-month detention.