but Mitsotakis can't negotiate on that. It would be a scandal here.
Well there you go, it seems we are on the same page now. lol
thats the issue. the "maximalist" claims, i.e there is no possibility of accepting anything in the middle or less. Like for example the EEZ claims around Megisti being withdrawn, in exchange for other areas in the Aegean being accepted by Turkey, with some carveouts for freedom of navigation, etc etc..
From the outside it looks like the negotiations are going something like this,
Turkey: this is what I claim, but I'm willing to negotiate and work something out in the middle. In the meantime can we agree to not carry on projects until there is an agreement?
Mitsotakis: Yes, the negotiation is we agree that this is my territory and you drop your claims and I will carry on with my projects as I please.
To this Turkey think well shit, this guy is going to carry out projects, and if I do nothing, it will be fiat accompli, so some drilling ship gets sent out to do "exploratory research", then there is the usual drama for a few weeks with military vessels of either side confronting "trespassing" boats doing exploration, outside intervention some in telling people to calm down, the research vessel is withdrawn, then both sides agree to "negotiate", and then rinse and repeat.