Athens and Nicosia are keeping a close eye on the scenarios circulating around the intention of Agkara to move forward with defining an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) with Damascus.

According to Turkish reports and analysts, Türkiye intends to propose a deal in Damascus along the lines of the Türkiye Memorandum.

Turkish media reports ambitious plans to build a gas pipeline linking Qatar to Europe via Syria and Türkiye.

Specifically, the state-run “Anatolia” agency, titled “Qatar gas pipeline project returns after 15 years”, reports that this will be possible once Syria is stabilized and will provide an alternative to Europe for gas.

The Milliyet newspaper, titled “The strategy to make Türkiye, an energy hub”, says that the change in Syria creates an opportunity for the construction of the Qatar-Syria-Turkey pipeline and combined, the gas produced by Ankara from its fields can be transported in abundance to European countries.

Retired Admiral Jihad Yaikh Yaiky, known for his contribution to the formulation of the Turkish-Colombian memorandum policy, has publicly argued that a deal with Syria would offer both countries significant geopolitical advantages. Specifically, he said Syria would gain a 12% larger EEZ than Cyprus’ proposal, while Turkey would expand its influence by 4,000 square kilometers.

“This agreement will create a Turkish shield in the east, just as was done in the west with Libya,” he said.

In a statement, Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantine Kombos said that “the sensitivities of everyone in the region need to be taken into account,” while the Greek foreign minister, asked about Syria, replied that, among other things, “territorial integrity, guaranteed and free from external actors, is paramount.”

Georgos Gerapetritis, moreover, stressed that he is in “constant communication” with his Arab counterparts, that Greece is “actively present”, and that together with Cyprus and Austria, a plan has been submitted to the EU that includes a proposal for the establishment of an EU Special Envoy in Syria for “constant monitoring of the events”.