NO. 68
The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) released a June 11, 2020 letter to the editor that it sent to Bloomberg, in response to a June 10, 2020 opinion piece written by Sinan Ulgen titled, “Turkey’s Veto in the Eastern Mediterranean Isn’t Enough.”
AHI’s letter, authored by Research Intern Vasili Ioannidis, argues Mr. Ulgen mischaracterized Turkey’s diplomatic and offshore actions in the Eastern Mediterranean region, which instead should be viewed as nothing more than hostile gunboat diplomacy.
“On both fronts referenced in the piece, diplomatic and off-shore, Turkish action has been unhelpful and provocative,” Ioannidis, an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, wrote. “Turkey has continuously disregarded international law and has further exacerbated tensions with its neighbors.”
Mr. Ulgen’s commentary stated the European Union should respond to Turkey’s actions by striking an agreement with Ankara. In his rebuttal, Ioannidis noted Turkey should not be “rewarded” for destabilizing actions, and stated, “…it is Ankara that must reform to be viewed as credible by Brussels.”