Source: CNA
Turkish media have expressed dissatisfaction over the visit and meetings of Cyprus’ Foreign Minister, Constantinos Kombos, in Syria, as well as the Syrian news agency’s reference to the Republic of Cyprus.
The major opposition news website Oda TV, under the headline "The Syrian news agency said 'Republic of Cyprus'... A visit to Shara that will anger the 'TRNC'... Who will prevail in the Mediterranean: The 'TRNC' or the 'Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus'?", comments that "Yesterday, Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shara received the Foreign Minister of the 'Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus,' Kombos. During the meeting, Kombos was received alongside the so-called flag of Cyprus... Even the official news agency SANA used the term 'Republic of Cyprus'."
The website further states: "While we were expecting to see whether the Syrian government, which enjoys full support from Turkey, would recognize the 'TRNC,' Damascus hosted a visit that ignores the small homeland." It also comments that "The Greek Cypriot official was received at the Syrian Presidency and posed for photos in front of the flag of the 'Greek Cypriot Administration,' which depicts the entire island of Cyprus as its territory."
Oda TV claims that "the 'Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus,' along with Greece, disregards Turkey’s rights in the Mediterranean, despite Turkey being Syria’s biggest supporter."
It also asserts that "the 'Greek Cypriot Administration' is part of a plan to corner Ankara" and notes that "Syria is a maritime neighbor of the 'TRNC'... Damascus would stand to gain significantly from a maritime jurisdiction agreement with the 'TRNC'."
"In previous agreements of this kind," the article continues, "the 'Greek Cypriot Administration' secured nearly equal maritime zones with Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. However, a potential 'TRNC'-Syria agreement would grant Damascus control over larger maritime areas than it currently holds. According to experts, in such a case, Syria would gain a maritime jurisdiction zone nearly twice the size of the 'TRNC'."
According to the Turkish news website, "this latest development reminds us of the Syria-'TRNC' rapprochement that took shape during the Assad era before 2011. At that time, when Ankara and Damascus enjoyed very strong ties, the Syrian plan to open a representative office in the 'TRNC' was reported in the press. In 2007, maritime transport links were established between the two sides, with the first ferry service operating between Famagusta and Latakia. These developments at the time had sparked speculation that 'Syria would soon recognize the 'TRNC'."
Almost all Turkish media outlets have reported on the meeting between the Cypriot Foreign Minister and Shara, citing Turkish news agencies that covered the event.
The Turkish opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet headlined: "Jolani met with the Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister: On the basis of good neighborly relations..."
The newspaper Star ran the headline: "Visit from the 'Greek Cypriot Administration' to Damascus! Shara welcomed the Greek Cypriot Minister."
The newspaper Karar headlined: "Shara met with the Greek Cypriot Minister."
