Med & South
OpinionStakeholder Opinion
Another war on the horizon in the Armenia – Azerbaijan conflict?
The deadlock in the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiation process coupled with the concentration of foreign fighters and transfer of arms in Armenia is a distressing signal for an imminent escalation or a new war, writes Vasif Huseynov.
EU sanctions three firms for breaking Libya arms embargo, Turkey reacts
The European Union on Monday (21 September) imposed sanctions on three companies -- one Turkish, one Kazakh and one Jordanian -- for breaching the UN arms embargo on Libya, drawing an angry reaction from Turkey.
US to slap sanctions on over two dozen targets tied to Iran arms
The United States will sanction more than two dozen people and entities involved in Iran’s nuclear, missile and conventional arms programs, putting teeth behind UN sanctions on Tehran that Washington argues have resumed despite the opposition of allies and adversaries.
Erdogan in search of EU ‘allies’ to block sanctions
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has held a series of contacts with EU leaders in recent days, aiming to find allies who would block potential sanctions against Turkey at the 24-25 September EU summit over its illegal drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Hungary says it will be only EU country to send minister to Israel-UAE accord signing
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó will be the only EU diplomatic leader to attend the signing ceremony on Tuesday in Washington for the Israel-United Arab Emirates peace deal, his spokesman said on Sunday (13 September).
Iran says 1,044 centrifuges active at underground plant
The head of Iran's atomic agency said Sunday (13 September) that 1,044 centrifuges were active at the Fordow uranium enrichment plant, in line with steps to reduce its commitments to the nuclear deal.
Europe’s south tells Turkey: resume talks this month or risk sanctions
The EU will draw up a list of new sanctions on Turkey at the end of September unless Ankara comes to the negotiating table to resolve a territorial dispute with Greece and Cyprus, the EU's Mediterranean states said on Thursday (10 September).
France hosts Med leaders for summit on Turkey tensions
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday (10 September) hosts leaders from Mediterranean states for a summit set to be dominated by growing tensions between Turkey and EU states in the east of the sea.
Turkey sanctions on table for EU meeting, France says
Turkey's escalating conflict with Greece and Cyprus will be the main subject at this month's European Council meeting, when sanctions will be considered against Ankara, France said on Sunday (6 September).
Stoltenberg: NATO to focus on East-Med de-confliction, leaves diplomacy to Germany
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg clarified on Friday (4 September) that his statement about a deal for dialogue between Greece and Turkey referred to “technical talks” to defuse tensions and complement the diplomatic part that remains in the hands of EU presidency-holder Germany.
Greece overrules NATO’s announced launch of dialogue with Turkey
Athens denied on Thursday (3 September) a statement by NATO’s Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg that Greece and Turkey had agreed to technical talks to defuse tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. Greek diplomatic sources said the only way to de-escalate was for...
An ‘accident’ in the Mediterranean is in no one’s interest, EU official says
The European Union's efforts are focused on de-escalation and dialogue because it is in no one's interest to have an accident in the Eastern Mediterranean amid the escalating crisis between Greece and Turkey, an EU official said on Wednesday (2 September).
Cyprus welcomes lifting of US arms embargo
Cyprus has welcomed the lifting of a US arms embargo as proof it is a "reliable partner" in the Eastern Mediterranean, as Washington's ambassador stressed the move was not aimed at Turkey.
Borrell in Libya to push for peace talks
The EU's foreign policy chief held talks with Libya's UN recognised government on Tuesday (1 September) to push for renewed efforts to resolve the country's long-running conflict.
Turkey defies EU ultimatum, threatens with war
If Greece expands its maritime borders in the Aegean Sea, this will be a cause of war, Turkish foreign affairs minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Saturday (29 August).
France creates reform roadmap for crisis-ridden Lebanon
French President Emmanuel Macron has created a roadmap for Lebanese politicians outlining political and financial reforms needed to unlock foreign aid and rescue the country from multiple crises including an economic meltdown.
Greece says Turkey is unreliable for dialogue ahead of German FM visit
The Greek government dismissed on Monday (24 august) Turkey’s stated intention to start a dialogue and de-escalate tensions over gas drillings activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, saying Ankara is not reliable. “A reliable interlocutor is needed for a dialogue”, Greek...
Merkel and Macron vow to ‘preserve’ EU sovereignty in eastern Mediterranean
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron said yesterday (20 August) they would not accept attacks on EU member states’ sovereignty, amid an escalating row with Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean.
Greece to ratify maritime deals with Egypt and Italy next week
The Greek parliament will discuss and ratify the maritime deals demarcating exclusive economic zones (EEZ) with Egypt and Italy next week, Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas has said.
Hezbollah member guilty of Lebanon ex-PM’s 2005 murder
A UN-backed tribunal on Tuesday (18 August) found a member of the Hezbollah Shiite movement guilty over the 2005 murder of former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri but cleared three other suspects after a years-long trial.
EU urges Turkey to halt gas hunt in east Mediterranean
The European Union urged Turkey on Sunday (16 August) to "immediately" stop exploring for gas in a disputed area of the eastern Mediterranean, as tensions rise with other countries in the region.
Trump says he probably would not participate in Putin Iran summit
US President Donald Trump on Saturday (15 August) all but dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s call for a summit of world leaders to discuss Iran, saying he probably would not participate.
Israel, UAE to normalize relations in shift in Mideast politics
Israel and the United Arab Emirates announced on Thursday (13 August) that they will normalise diplomatic ties and forge a broad new relationship, a move that reshapes the order of Middle East politics.