The Turkish Foreign Ministry released a statement on Saturday saying it has “sovereign rights” over the Greek island of Kastellorizo and will “never compromise on this.”
The statement from Ankara comes ahead of the EU Summit next week, where EU leaders will discuss sanctions on Turkey due to its provocative actions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
READ MORE: The European Parliament votes in favor of sanctions against Turkey.
“No sanctions will ever make Turkey compromise on its sovereign rights in Kastellorizo or 10 nautical miles air space,” the statement said.
READ MORE: Greece to extend territorial waters in the Ionian Sea, says PM.
Calling Greece “the spoiled child of Europe,” Ankara also asked its neighbor to “engage in unconditional dialogue, sooner rather than later.”
This statement came in the face of Ankara announcing on Friday that a firing exercise would take place on December 9 and 10 in the sea area between the Greek islands of Rhodes and Kastellorizo.
