In this period of time, Ankara is more focused on the dramatic developments in the Middle East, raising the flags of the Muslim world, especially on the Palestinian issue, with an emphasis on Gaza and less on the case of the conflicts in Lebanon. From the floor of G.S. of the UN, Erdogan raised his voice about the tragic events in the Gaza Strip (against Israel), urging the international community to follow the example of the convergence of states (a few decades ago) to confront the Hitlerian threat. Throughout time, it seeks to largely unite the Islamic states (on all continents) around Turkey.
He did not fail to refer to the chaotic Libya (in which Turkey has a considerable multi-branch military presence in the western region of Tripolitania), supporting positions on the resolution of the individual political, geographical, humanitarian, energy, banking and other issues, given that relations have significantly improved with Egypt, while some communication channels are open with warlord Haftar of eastern Libya. On the part of Ankara, the dynamic cooperation with African and Caucasian states continues, especially with Somalia, for which Turkey shows an energy, naval, health and military interest.
Regarding Cyprus, for the second year in a row he maintained the well-known, provocative and hard-line position regarding the existence of two state entities on the island, simply repeating that the various contacts under the G.C. of the UN, which were valid until 2017, have no future and the separatist formation, i.e. the pseudo-state of illegally occupied territories (by the international community), must be recognized. The efforts of the Portuguese c.g. Antonio Guterres for a meeting between the legitimate President Nikos Christodoulides and the occupying leader Ersin Tatar have not achieved (even marginally) some convergence. The messages in general have not changed to date and there is no glimmer of borderline optimism.
The Republic of Cyprus is expanding the spectrum of its pro-Western attitude, through the strengthening of the strategic dialogue with the USA (on the model of the corresponding collaborations of the Americans with other 34 countries from all continents), the promoted lifting of the unjust arms embargo by the USA, the cooperation with the National Guard of the State of New Jersey and its support for various initiatives for de-escalation in the Middle East.
Calm in the Aegean
With regard to the situation in the Aegean, no significant flare-ups were observed, while until the next convocation of the bilateral Supreme Council in Ankara, in January 2025, certain issues are being discussed and contacts are being made between the two sides. Within the next quarter there will be another round of so-called Confidence Building Measures (military, educational, mutual visits of senior officers to major military formations, etc.).
However, this year’s non-participation of Turkey in the Ramstein 2024 NATO air exercise of the NATO air force headquarters in Andravida, which is multinational, inter-alliance and with the active presence of many aircraft and various types from the member states of the Atlantic Alliance, has also caused a sensation. Once again, Ankara did not want to file flight plans.
Finally, one of the most important issues is the cooperation between the two states to prevent massive illegal immigration. Although such phenomena still occur daily, the situation is under control and no extreme situations are observed. It will be interesting to see how things will move in 2025 considering the explosive situation in the Middle East and the highly problematic one in Libya. Certainly the issues have not been resolved, but for now we are moving in relatively calm waters.
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