John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

95. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the response of Ireland to escalating tensions between Turkey and a number of EU member states in the eastern Mediterranean over access to gas fields for exploration purposes. [28471/20]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Will the Minster outline the Government's response to the escalating tensions between Turkey and a number of EU members states in the eastern Mediterranean which have come to pass since the discovery of a major gas field which is currently being explored by Turkey?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue because it is a developing situation which needs more attention than it is getting, quite frankly, in many capitals across Europe. In relation to the escalating tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, Ireland has consistently called on Turkey to show restraint and respect for the sovereign rights of Cyprus and Greece, and to refrain from actions in the eastern Mediterranean that infringe on international law and risk the stability and security of the region. We continue to stand in full solidarity with Greece and Cyprus on these issues. The only way in which disputes concerning maritime boundaries in the Aegean Sea and the wider eastern Mediterranean will be resolved is through political dialogue. I commend the German Government, in particular, on its efforts to mediate in this dispute. France has been very involved as well. I discussed this issue last week with my German counterpart. I have also been in contact directly with my Turkish counterpart and with a number of EU partners, in particular, my Cypriot counterpart who is a good friend of mine.

The return of the Turkish research vessel to port from Greek waters and the announcement that exploratory talks between Greece and Turkey will resume are a welcome first step, although we regret that Turkish research vessel remains in Cypriot waters. That is a continued source of concern. I would welcome Turkey taking further steps to de-escalate the situation with Cyprus as a way of demonstrating its commitment to stability and peace in the region. Last week the European Council discussed the EU’s relationship with Turkey and the situation in the eastern Mediterranean. The announcement of exploratory talks between Greece and Turkey has opened up the possibility of resolving the current crisis through dialogue and, as such, it was decided to revisit the issue in December in order to allow breathing space for these negotiations. We would like to see a more stable and constructive relationship developed with Turkey, particularly given the importance of the relationship to issues such as migration and economic activity. This would benefit both the EU and Turkey. It is our hope that when this issue is revisited in December we can take steps to build a more constructive relationship than we have seen in recent months and years. However, this will only be possible if the provocations and pressures stop. If not, then we stand ready to use instruments and options that are available to the EU.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. As he is aware there have been a number of incidents between Greek and Turkish naval vessels and aircraft in the coastal area surrounding the island of Cyprus. The cause of this tension lies in the discovery of a major gas field in the region, estimated to be 3.5 trillion cu. m. That is enough to keep the whole of the United States supplied for up to a decade. Of course the EU's interest in the area lies with the potential of the gas find to ease European energy dependency on Russia. As the Minister said, it is important to stand in solidarity with Greece and Cyprus but it is more important to put substantive actions in place to stand with them. What we are seeing is Turkey, which has illegally occupied the north part of Cyprus since 1974, appearing to want to try to assert itself as a major regional player. As such, we now need substantive actions from the Irish Government and the EU so will the Minister outline some of the actions he alluded to at the end of his initial reply?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As I said in my response, the way this issue will be resolved is through dialogue. The EU of course has tools available to it which it can use to build pressure, including targeted sanctions, economic sanctions and so on. For now it is the view of the EU that introducing sanctions would make it more difficult to make progress with the recent commitment to dialogue between Turkey and Greece. We want to give that process some time and space to produce results that are in the interest of Greece and Turkey and that of the EU as a whole.

With regard to Cyprus, we would like to see Turkey de-escalating the tension that is undoubtedly there now. The relationship between Turkey and Cyprus is complicated and difficult and so it is not the same as a dialogue between Greece and Turkey. The European Union is looking for ways to try to resolve this issue but certainly if Turkey were to remove its ships from Cypriot waters it would assist significantly in de-escalating and creating space for dialogue.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I ask the Deputies to co-operate a little bit with the time limits.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

From Syria to Libya, Armenia, Azerbaijan and now Greece and Cyprus, Turkey is a major protagonist in that region, it has to be said. The one thing that Erdogan has over the EU is the fact that Turkey has 5 million refugees. The EU fears Erdogan and the Turks instead of facing them down. It really is an admission of the failure of the EU to put in place a humane refugee policy. Until this is done Turkey will get away with what it wants in the region. The EU needs to stand up and take on the Turks and the geopolitics they are playing throughout the entire region, which are causing massive destabilisation. The key to this is addressing the refugee issue and putting in place a policy to deal with it so Turkey does not hold that trump card over the EU.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

With respect, I think that is a misreading of the situation. The refugee agreement between the EU and Turkey is something that of course is part of the relationship between them but Turkey's involvement in Libya, Syria and the eastern Mediterranean, tensions with Greece and Cyprus and the tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan are issues that go well beyond the refugee issue. Standing up and taking on Turkey, as the Deputy describes it, is not necessarily the way to do this. These issues need to be de-escalated through political dialogue, and if that does not work of course the EU has tools available to it to increase pressure. First and foremost, we want to try to de-escalate the relationship that is there at present and achieve things through political dialogue.