Turkish media criticizes Cyprus and Greece over military and infrastructure projects

On October 12, 2026, Turkish media outlets including Yeni Akit and Milliyet published reports criticizing Greece and the Republic of Cyprus for ongoing energy and defense projects in the Eastern Mediterranean. The reports highlight the potential restart of the Great Sea Interconnector project, which Turkish nationalist media interprets as a deliberate challenge to Ankara's maritime jurisdiction claims and a move to bypass Turkey's influence in the region.

Simultaneously, Turkish reports have focused on the upgrading of military infrastructure in Cyprus, specifically the Evangelos Florakis naval base in Mari and the air base in Paphos. According to these outlets, these efforts, supported by increased cooperation with the United States, France, and Greece, aim to enhance the presence of Western naval forces in the region. The coverage suggests that such actions are seen by Ankara as provocations that escalate tensions rather than promoting stability.

These developments occur against a backdrop of long-standing disagreements regarding maritime boundaries and the status of the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. While Greek and Cypriot authorities view these projects as essential for energy independence and national security, Turkish media outlets characterize them as part of a strategy to finalize territorial claims and limit Turkey's veto power in the region.