Escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean: The Way Out

Discussants

• Dr. Constantinos Adamides, Assistant Professor of International Relations and Director of the Diplomatic Academy, University of Nicosia
• Dr. Ian Lesser, Vice President and Executive Director (Brussels), The German Marshall Fund of the United States
• Dr. Meltem Müftüler-Baç, Professor of International Relations and Jean Monnet Chair, Sabanci University 

Moderator

• Dr. Kadri Tastan, Senior Fellow, The German Marshall Fund of the United States

In recent years, energy issues have come back to influence regional dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean and have become an even greater priority on the Euro-Mediterranean political agenda. Competition over energy exploration in the region has already led to renewed tension between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey, and it could aggravate other conflicts. This could not only affect regional actors, but also the European Union and the United States, that all have stakes in the exploration of energy resources and in a stable region. The unresolved Cypriot question thus continues to be a source of instability for the region.

How are the recently discovered natural gas reserves likely to influence the security and geopolitics of the Eastern Mediterranean as well as Turkey’s role in the region? How are the new dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean likely to shape the nature and future of the transatlantic alliance and Turkey’s place within it? How to get out of the impasse and rediscover a roadmap for the resolution of the Cyprus question? Will the response of the EU in terms of imposing sanctions on Turkey bear any fruit? What else could the EU and its member states do to reduce the tension?” By focusing on Turkey and the Cyprus issue, the discussion will provide an in-depth analysis of the region, its complex geopolitics, the risks and the key players involved.

This roundtable discussion is part of a series of events and analyses organized as part of the GMF-TOBB Fellowship on Turkey, Europe, and Global Issues, launched by GMF in partnership with the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) in 2017.

Please note that this event is invitation-only. The discussion will be under the Chatham House rule. If you have any questions, please contact Jorge Felix at [email protected].