Turkey Expresses Reservations On Europe’s Call for Dialogue over Tensions with Greece

Above, the Oruc Reis seismic research vessel docked at Haydarpasa port in Istanbul. (AFP file photo)
Above, the Oruc Reis seismic research vessel docked at Haydarpasa port in Istanbul. (AFP file photo)
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Turkey Expresses Reservations On Europe’s Call for Dialogue over Tensions with Greece

Above, the Oruc Reis seismic research vessel docked at Haydarpasa port in Istanbul. (AFP file photo)
Above, the Oruc Reis seismic research vessel docked at Haydarpasa port in Istanbul. (AFP file photo)

Turkey on Saturday expressed reservations on the EU calls for talks to remove tension with Greece, and instead called on the EU to address those who take unilateral and provocative steps in the eastern Mediterranean.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said Ankara was in favor of dialogue and negotiations but was also determined to defend its legitimate rights and interests.

“The European Union’s call should not be towards Turkey but those who take unilateral and provocative steps in the eastern Mediterranean, showing no respect for the rights and interests of Turkey and Cypriot Turks,” a Foreign Ministry tweet read.

The reaction follows a call by 27 EU foreign affairs ministers for de-escalation in the eastern Mediterranean.

On Friday, an extraordinary videoconference was held on Greece’s request after Turkey sent one of its seismic vessels escorted by warships in Greek waters.

“The serious deterioration in the relationship with Turkey is having far-reaching strategic consequences for the entire EU, well beyond the eastern Mediterranean,” the statement said, and warned against “greater antagonism and distrust” that Turkey’s actions could bring.

Meanwhile, Ankara sent on Saturday eight F-16 jets and a number of warship frigates to enhance the protection of its Oruc Reis seismic research ship, which is currently on a two-week mission in the region.

Turkish media outlets linked those military enhancements to France’ recent deployment of two Rafale fighter jets and a naval frigate in the eastern Mediterranean because of tensions between Greece and Turkey.

On Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country will not hesitate to respond to slightest harassment against its energy exploration ship in Eastern Mediterranean.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is set to meet Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, two days after the US official held talks with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias in Vienna. The talks focused on Turkish aggression in the Eastern Mediterranean.



Syria's Wheat War: Drought Fuels Food Crisis for 16 Million

Before the war, Syria was self-sufficient in wheat, producing an average of 4.1 million tons annually, but 14 years of conflict crippled production. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP
Before the war, Syria was self-sufficient in wheat, producing an average of 4.1 million tons annually, but 14 years of conflict crippled production. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP
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Syria's Wheat War: Drought Fuels Food Crisis for 16 Million

Before the war, Syria was self-sufficient in wheat, producing an average of 4.1 million tons annually, but 14 years of conflict crippled production. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP
Before the war, Syria was self-sufficient in wheat, producing an average of 4.1 million tons annually, but 14 years of conflict crippled production. Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP

Rival Syrian and Kurdish producers are scrambling for shrinking wheat harvests as the worst drought in decades follows a devastating war, pushing more than 16 million people toward food insecurity.

"The country has not seen such bad climate conditions in 60 years," said Haya Abu Assaf, assistant to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) representative in Syria.

Syria's water levels have seen "a very significant drop compared to previous years, which is very worrying", Abu Assaf told AFP, as a relatively short winter rainy season and decreased rainfall take their toll.

"A gap of between 2.5 to 2.7 million tons in the wheat crop is expected, meaning that the wheat quantity will not be sufficient to meet local needs," Abu Assaf said, putting "around 16.3 million people at risk of food insecurity in Syria this year".

Before the civil war erupted in 2011, Syria was self-sufficient in wheat, producing an average of 4.1 million tons annually.

Nearly 14 years of conflict have since crippled production and devastated the economy.

The FAO estimates that harsh weather has impacted nearly 2.5 million hectares of wheat-growing land.

"Around 75 percent of the cultivated areas" have been affected, as well as "natural pastures for livestock production", said Abu Assaf.

Imports, competition

To bridge the wheat gap, imports would be essential in a country where around 90 percent of the population lives in poverty.

Before his ouster in an Islamist-led offensive in December, Syria's longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad used to rely on ally Russia for wheat.

In April, new authorities reported the first wheat shipment since his removal arrived in Latakia port, with more Russian shipments following.

Iraq also donated more than 220,000 tons of wheat to Syria.

During the war, Damascus competed with the semi-autonomous Kurdish administration in the northeast to buy wheat from farmers across fertile lands.

Last year, Assad's government priced wheat at $350 per ton, and the Kurds at $310.

After Assad's ouster, Damascus and the Kurds agreed in March to integrate Kurdish-led institutions into the new Syrian state, with negotiations ongoing on implementation.

Damascus set wheat prices this month at between $290 and $320 per ton, depending on the quality, plus a $130 bonus.

The Kurdish-led administration offered $420 per ton including a $70 bonus.

'Poverty and hunger'

Damascus' agriculture ministry expects a harvest of 300,000 to 350,000 tons in government-controlled areas this year.

Hassan Othman, director of the Syrian Grain Establishment, acknowledged Syria was not self-sufficient, in comments on state television.

But he said authorities were working "to ensure food security by importing wheat from abroad and milling it in our mills".

In northeast Syria's Amuda, farmer Jamshid Hassu, 65, inspected the tiny wheat grains from his fields, which cover around 200 hectares (around 500 acres).

Despite heavy irrigation efforts to offset scarce rainfall, he said, production has halved.

The FAO's Abu Assaf said indicators showed that "about 95 percent of rain-fed wheat has been damaged and affected", while irrigated wheat yields were down 30 to 40 percent.

Hassu, who has been farming for four decades, said he had to pump water from depths of more than 160 meters (525 feet) to sustain his crops as groundwater levels plunge.

Agriculture remains a vital income source in rural Syria, but without urgent support, farmers face ruin.

"Without support, we will not be able to continue," Hassu warned.

"People will suffer from poverty and hunger."