Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited North Macedonia to showcase Ankara’s interest in the region, following the recent opening of a defense company’s headquarters there. During his meeting with North Macedonia’s Foreign Minister Timco Mucunski, discussions centered around bilateral relations, economic cooperation, and defense industry collaboration. Fidan highlighted Turkey’s readiness to contribute to North Macedonia and emphasized the importance of positive relations with the Turkish minority in the country. Mucunski expressed gratitude for Turkey’s partnership and support, emphasizing their shared views on security and regional issues. The trade volume between the two countries reached 1 billion dollars last year, with…

Turkish Naval Mobilization Near Kasos: A Strategic Move? Recent events near Kasos in the southern Aegean have raised eyebrows and sparked questions about Turkey’s intentions. The Turkish government has made it clear that the naval mobilization was not random, but rather part of a strategic plan to assert dominance in the Eastern Mediterranean. Officials are referring to this aggressive move as part of the “Blue Homeland” ideology, which seeks to expand Turkish influence over the region. This has heightened tensions and raised concerns among neighboring countries. The incident near Kasos serves as a stark reminder of the complex geopolitical dynamics…

[Prime Minister’s Press Office] Greek officials refute Turkish claims of granting recognition to Turkey’s maritime jurisdiction around the Aegean islands, dismissing reports in Turkish media. The Greek Defense Ministry stated that no respect has been or will be shown towards Turkey’s illegal actions within the delimited zone between Greece and Egypt. Turkish Defense Ministry sources had previously thanked Greek authorities for cooperating, but Greece issued a navigational warning contradicting Turkey’s claims. Turkish media headlines stating that Greece had recognized their continental shelf were met with rebuttals and accusations of harassment and migrant pushbacks near Imia islets. Turkey’s Minister of Energy…

Turkey’s Minister of Energy, Alparslan Bayraktar, revealed in an interview with the Turkish newspaper Sabah that Ankara is eager to conduct offshore surveys for hydrocarbons in Libyan maritime zones. Emphasizing the significance of Libya in the energy sector, Bayraktar mentioned Turkey’s interest in oil and natural gas projects in both offshore and onshore areas of Libya, indicating potential agreements with Tripoli in the near future. Bayraktar highlighted the Black Sea as a top priority for hydrocarbon exploration for Turkey, surpassing the Aegean and Mediterranean regions. He stated that the prospects in the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions are more promising,…

[Shutterstock] The Turkish National Security Council (NSC) met under President Erdogan to reaffirm Ankara’s stance on the issues concerning the Aegean and Cyprus. Despite emphasizing the priority of dialogue, Turkey remains firm in defending its rights and interests in the region. The NSC emphasized a strong position on resolving the Cyprus issue based on the international status of Turkish Cypriots and the recognition of the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’. This statement follows a series of back-and-forth communications between Greece and Turkey regarding recent incidents in the Aegean. Furthermore, Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis dismissed Turkish claims of acceptance of…

The 50th anniversary celebrations of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus are causing tensions amid hopes for dialogue between Turkey and Greece. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the celebrations, labeling the invasion a “peace mission” to protect Turkish-Cypriots. Turkey intervened after a Greek-led coup in Cyprus, leading to a permanent division on the island. The Greek government sees the invasion as a disaster, with leaders commemorating the event. In occupied Cyprus, festivities include a concert and military displays on the anniversary. Despite efforts for reconciliation, the anniversary serves as a reminder of the unresolved conflict in Cyprus. As Turkey…

[File photo: Shutterstock] Turkish media has reported a recent incident where a Greek boat allegedly rammed a Turkish fishing vessel near an uninhabited Greek islet in the northern Aegean Sea. The incident took place around Zurafa Island, known to Greeks as Zourafa or Ladoxera, which is situated east of Samothraki and north of Imvros. The Turkish fisherman, Ilker Ozdemir, claimed that the Greek boat caused damage to their vessel while they were fishing in international waters. The incident highlights tensions fueled by the Turkish concept of the “Blue Homeland,” which seeks to expand Turkish influence in the region. Following the…