With the front-page headline “A Turkish Wind Blows in the Mediterranean”, pro-government daily Milliyet highlighted the Ankara–Cairo agreement to hold a joint military exercise on 22–26 September, the first such drill in 13 years.
According to the paper, Ankara is portraying the exercise as a strategic turning point in the Eastern Mediterranean, linking it to the accelerated negotiations with Cairo over the delimitation of maritime zones.
Large-scale exercise planned
Milliyet reported that Turkey and Egypt will take part with warships and aircraft in the large-scale drill, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in both military and strategic fields.
The newspaper argued that the development is not only of military but also of political significance, directly tied to the prospect of a maritime boundary agreement between the two countries. Ankara, it added, views such an agreement as a strategic step to bolster its position in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Clear political message
The paper stressed that Turkey’s participation with substantial military assets in the exercise sends a clear signal that it does not intend to remain on the sidelines of regional developments.
In the same report, Turkish experts commented on the broader implications. Retired ambassador Ünal Özülker said:
“This is a development that makes Turkey an important power in the Eastern Mediterranean. With this approach, the Greek Cypriot Administration will be left isolated,” referring to the Republic of Cyprus government.
Retired admiral Cem Gürdeniz added:
“Turkey has shown it will not remain outside the Eastern Mediterranean. Cooperation with Egypt is a strategic step that strengthens our position in the region.”
CNA
