Turkey accuses five nations of forming ‘alliance of evil’

·

Turkey on Tuesday accused Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, France and the United Arab Emirates of seeking to form an “alliance of evil” after these countries issued a joint declaration denouncing Ankara’s policies in the eastern Mediterranean and Libya.

In a strongly-worded statement, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said the five countries were pursuing “regional chaos and instability” in the eastern Mediterranean and sacrificing Libyans’ “hope for democracy for the reckless aggression of dictators.”

The foreign ministers of the five countries held a teleconference on Monday to discuss the situation in the eastern Mediterranean, where Turkey has been drilling for potential hydrocarbon deposits in an offshore area where Cyprus has exclusive economic rights, as well as the situation in Libya.

Egypt’s minster of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry during a teleconference meeting with his Greek, Cypriot, French and Emirati counterparts, 11 May 2020 – Press photo

Last year, Turkey signed a contested maritime border delineation deal as well as a military cooperation agreement with the internationally-recognised government in Tripoli.

Turkey says the deal grants its economic rights to a large swath of the east Mediterranean Sea and prevents any energy-related projects from moving forward without Ankara’s consent. Greece and Cyprus have protested the deal, saying it contravenes international law and infringes on their own rights in the area.

The five nations denounced what they said was Turkey’s sixth attempt in less than a year to “illegally conduct drilling operations in Cyprus’ maritime zones.”

The five also protested the agreements signed with Libya’s U.N.-backed government as a violation of international law and the U.N. arms embargo in Libya.

”(The) Ministers strongly condemned Turkey’s military interference in Libya, and urged Turkey to fully respect the UN arms embargo, and to stop the influx of foreign fighters from Syria to Libya. These developments constitute a threat to the stability of Libya’s neighbors in Africa as well as in Europe,” the five nations declared.

In its response, the Turkish Foreign Ministry accused Greece and Cyprus of avoiding dialogue with Turkey and faulted Egypt for not protecting the rights and interests of its own people. It also charged the UAE of joining the others out of hostility against Turkey and blamed France for allegedly seeking to act as a “patron” to the alliance.

“We call on these countries to act in line with common sense, international laws and practices,” said Aksoy, the Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman. “Peace and stability in the region can be established with sincere and genuine dialogue, not through alliances of evil.”

Sourced By: Associated Press

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Historic ties remembered as Greece’s Evzones march in Adelaide’s ANZAC Day parade

During a Dawn Service at West Torrens on Friday, April 25, the Evzones stood guard alongside Australian army battalion in remembrance.

Greek glamour meets Aussie pop: Inside the colourful universe of Stavroula Adameitis

Adelaide-born designer Stavroula Adameitis is a creator of bespoke pieces that she describes as ‘wearable art.’

Melbourne seminar to focus on the odyssey of Michel ‘Pablo’ Raptis

Michel Pablo was a twentieth century revolutionary whose life and ideas remain relevant and inspirational until today.

Lawyer Greg Masselos warns NSW workers’ comp changes could devastate frontline workers

Greg Masselos has warned that proposed changes by the NSW government to raise the threshold for claims could have devastating consequences.

Niki Louca shares how to make Focaccia Bread

Niki Louca from My Greek Kitchen shares her favourite recipe for pita bread with The Greek Herald. You can follow her on Instagram.

You May Also Like

Greeks mark Revolution Bicentennial with wreath laying ceremony at Martin Place, Sydney

There was plenty of Greek pride on display as Sydney's Greek community gathered at Martin Place on Sunday for a wreath laying ceremony.

Wildfires wreck havoc across Greek villages

A total of 51 fires have broken out since daybreak, with the most serious being the one in Evia.

Applications for Greece’s “Student Olympiad” open to Greek students around the world

Mathitiada is an educational event which assembles Junior High School students from all prefectures of Greece and abroad in a common place every two...