Ankara has never stopped trying to derail the ‘Amaltheia’ plan at all levels, according to well informed sources of Phileleftheros political correspondent Costas Venizelos, seeking to sabotage any planning that bears the Republic of Cyprus seal, presumably and primarily because the illegal occupation force has been left out of the equation. Venizelos points to credible information that Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan had asked his American counterpart Antony Blinken to prevent the Cypriot initiative from going ahead, when they held talks in Washington during early March.
The Turkish official appears to have taken quite a bit of time and energy in making arguments against the implementation of the Cyprus maritime corridor, with the issue also being raised by Fidan’s successor at the Turkish Secret Service, Ibrahim Kalin, who was also in Washington.
The meeting between the two foreign ministers was part of the US-Turkish strategic mechanism framework, but the American government showed red, not willing to heed Turkish calls to cut the planning short. Washington strongly supported the Cypriot initiative from the outset and its political backing was essentially what pushed towards successful implementation.
According to the Phileleftheros sources, Ankara has been systematically trying to persuade Arab governments that Cyprus is used as a go between for the transfer of weapons and ammunition to Israel. They’ve also put forward the unfounded argument that ships carrying humanitarian aid will take Palestinians out of Gaza, in a step towards displacement.
During a speech at a meeting of the Islamic Cooperation Organisation in Saudi Arabia, prior to his Washington trip, the Turkish foreign minister claimed that Cyprus is really replenishing Israeli military stocks, under the pretext of operating as a humanitarian hub for the people of Gaza. ‘Such countries must be closely monitored’, he had said of Cyprus.
Ankara’s positions were promptly ignored by Arab countries and all other interlocutors that the Turkish side attempted to approach with such allegations. So as well as keeping pressure at diplomatic level, it also resorted to alternative methods, namely its own humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The state utilised non-governmental organisations, announcing that the ‘Humanitarian Aid Foundation’, would be sending assistance to the Palestinians. The IHH presented two new boats that will be taking the aid directly to Gaza, without clarifying when and how.
How is the critical question here, as Israel has only lifted the naval blockade of Gaza for Larnaca incoming ships. According to reports, Turkey wants to make noise about other ships also wanting to sail to Gaza, forcing a reaction by Israel, with the hope that the maritime corridor will be blocked altogether. A long shot, if one considers that ‘Amaltheia’ has been very well received and supported internationally both at state level, the UN and the European Union.
In spite of this setback, Washington seems to be attempting a rapprochement with Ankara and to this end, Tayip Erdogan is travelling to the States on May 9th. This is believed to be a reward following the lifting of Turkish obstacles towards the NATO accession of Sweden and Finland, with the Americans also appreciating the fact that the Greco-Turkish relations have begun a process of stabilisation, albeit bumpy.
Nevertheless, when it comes to the region, Cyprus has shown itself to be a trustworthy and reliable asset, utilising excellent relations with all neighbours and raising its geopolitical value. Besides, as Venizelos points out in his article, this is a small country, that does any constitute any form of threat.
