ISTANBUL – ANSWER. Despite the rhetorical attacks on Greece and Cyprus, Ankara chose stability and sends the Abdul Hamit Khan drilling rig to an area located near the Turkish coast without causing discomfort to either Athens or Nicosia.

In the hands of the Turks were research data on 5 possible points regarding the existence of possible deposits in the Eastern Mediterranean – some of them, in fact, were in disputed places. Political analysts of the neighboring country believe that the decision taken by Recep Tayyip Erdogan himself, Ankara tried not to escalate tension in the region. It is indicated that the combination of political analysis with the assessment of scientific data is considered an important decision.

In recent weeks, the US, France, Germany and the EU. they positioned themselves in favor of stability in the region and spoke out in favor of the Greek positions.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced at a fiesta organized last Tuesday at the Tasucu port in Mersin that Abdul Hamit Khan will start its first drilling in the Yörükler 1 area, which is located 55 kilometers south of the Gazipasa district, near Antalya .

The information indicates that previous seismographic surveys have shown some evidence of the possibility of natural gas in the area, which is why the Turkish drilling rig will head there first. However, in the past, Turkey has also conducted seismic surveys in other areas and within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Cyprus, as well as in areas near the Greek islands within the potential Greek EEZ. “There are 4-5 areas in the Eastern Mediterranean that have data from our seismographic surveys, and we are sending drilling rigs to one of them,” Turkish Energy Minister Fatih Domez said.

The Turkish NAVTEX for the Turkish drilling rig is valid until October 7, and Mr. Donmez said it takes 45-60 days to complete the first drilling and receive data.

According to political analysts, in the next period of time, Turkey will try to behave with restraint, but this will be if there are no actions from Greece and Cyprus that can create a fait accompli in the Eastern Mediterranean. Biden’s recommendations to Erdogan on “stability in the Aegean” and German Foreign Minister Analena Burbock’s stance on Greek and European borders appear to have been heeded before Ankara made its decisions.

Biden’s recommendations to Erdogan on “stability in the Aegean” were taken seriously by Ankara.

However, our experienced interlocutors report that in the event of data changes, i.e. conducting seismic surveys or attempting to drill in areas where Ankara claims that its continental shelf extends, then in the coming months Turkey may again become active in areas that could irritate Nicosia and Athens.

The choice of the drilling site does not mean that Ankara’s policy in the Eastern Mediterranean has changed, and this is what Mr. Erdogan tried to explain in his speech before the departure of Abdul Hamid Khan, who stated that “we will search this way until we find natural gas. Our exploration and drilling activities in the Mediterranean are carried out in our own dominant areas. We do not need anyone’s permission or consent to do this. Neither the puppets nor those holding the strings can stop us from getting what we deserve in the Mediterranean. Although some who come across the name “Abdul Hamid Khan” in the Mediterranean will first think of the Battle of Domokos. Analysts noted that the Turkish president, for the policy pursued by his country in 2022, chose to recall the Greco-Turkish war of 1897.

It is striking that the day before, Erdogan, at the 3rd Ambassadors Conference in Ankara, expressed his country’s desire to get closer to Brussels. “We have not taken and will not retreat a single step from our goal of joining the EU. First of all, you protect the rights and interests of our 7 million citizens living abroad, mainly in Europe.”

At the same conference, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stated that “we expect the EU to take measures that will re-energize our cooperation efforts and our accession process.”

However, Ankara talks about rapprochement with Western countries, but in reality it is getting closer and closer to Moscow. Vladimir Putin’s meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi last week looks set to bring mutually beneficial geostrategic and economic results.

Turkish officials say the two leaders have agreed that payments for gas Turkey buys from Russia should be made in dollars rather than rubles or pounds so that Ankara is not forced to buy the US currency.

At the same time, however, there are reports in the international press that ways are being explored to allow Russian companies and banks to transact through Turkish banks to circumvent sanctions imposed on Moscow. At the same time, the possibility of acquiring shares in Turkish oil companies was considered in order to circumvent sanctions in this sector as well.

Game against Moscow

Turkey is already reaping significant economic benefits from its decision not to impose sanctions on Russia. Aviation and tourism are prime examples. Due to the tough attitude of European countries, Russians choose Turkey for tourism and travel, through Turkish airports, to European countries, bypassing sanctions! According to the Hurriyet newspaper, Turkish Airlines operates 85 daily flights from Russia to Turkey from Russian airports alone. The Russians are pushing for an increase in daily flights to 100, and together with Russian airlines, an increase in daily flights between the two countries to 120 is expected! According to Turkish officials, there are airports in Russia from which flights depart every five minutes during peak hours to Turkish airports.