In a dramatic shift in Eastern Mediterranean geopolitics, a confidential letter signed by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has confirmed that Ankara is engaged in secret negotiations with Syria to delineate maritime boundaries — a move that could significantly alter the region’s balance of power.
The letter, dated 16 June 2025 and obtained by Nordic Monitor, marks the first official admission that Turkish institutions have been tasked with drafting an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) agreement with Syria. The initiative follows the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the rise of a transitional government in Damascus, reportedly backed by Turkish-aligned jihadist factions.
“With the overthrow of the Baath regime and the transfer of power to a transitional government, efforts are being carried out in coordination with our relevant institutions to determine the maritime boundary with Syria and to delimit maritime jurisdiction areas beyond territorial waters, in a way that protects our country’s rights and interests,” wrote Fidan in his letter to the Turkish Parliament’s Speaker’s Office.
The letter also makes clear that any future agreement would be designed to protect the interests of both Turkey and the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC), which remains recognised only by Ankara.
Fidan dismissed claims that Turkey had promised not to pursue such a deal during a high-level meeting with EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas in Riyadh earlier this year. “It would be beneficial to take into account the official statements and declarations made by our ministry on this matter,” Fidan stated, adding pointedly: “The EU has no right to comment on a potential agreement between two sovereign states regarding their maritime jurisdiction areas.”
A Turkish-Syrian maritime accord would mirror Ankara’s controversial 2019 agreement with Libya’s Government of National Accord — a deal the European Union denounced as illegal and without legal bearing on third parties. Any similar move with Syria, experts say, could further inflame tensions with Greece, Cyprus and other coastal states locked in longstanding maritime disputes.
Turkey’s latest manoeuvre comes as the country seeks to capitalise on its ties with Syria’s new President, Ahmad al-Sharaa, who visited Ankara on 4 February 2025 for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The two governments have reportedly maintained covert cooperation for some time, despite Syria’s fractured political landscape.
A successful agreement would not only cement Turkey’s maritime claims but also offer de facto recognition to the KKTC and open new opportunities for energy exploration. Given Syria’s lack of offshore drilling capacity, Turkey would likely lead any joint hydrocarbon ventures under such a deal.
The Eastern Mediterranean remains a powder keg of overlapping EEZ claims, driven by competing bids to access the region’s underwater gas reserves. Ankara has long objected to EEZ agreements signed by Cyprus with Egypt, Lebanon, and Israel, accusing them of violating Turkish and KKTC rights. The situation has already led to multiple stand-offs in recent years between Turkish and European interests.
As Turkey pushes forward with its maritime agenda, Brussels may once again find itself at odds with Ankara over sovereignty, international law, and the region’s contested energy riches.
Also read: New Greek naval defence strategy unveiled
With information from: nordicmonitor.com
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