Turkish FM proposes ‘sharing’ of East Med resources after accusing Greece of ‘provocative acts’

·

Turkey’s foreign minister said Tuesday his country favours a dialogue with rival Greece that would lead to the fair sharing of resources in the eastern Mediterranean, where the two countries are locked in a tense standoff that threatens to spill into a conflict.

Speaking at a news conference with his Algerian counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu also accused Greece of engaging in “provocative acts” in the region with the backing of the European Union, which has threatened sanctions against Ankara.

“We favor a joint solution that involves sitting around the table to negotiate with all sides in the eastern Mediterranean, for everyone to benefit from the eastern Mediterranean resources in a just manner or for the sharing (of resources) fairly,” Cavusoglu said.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, right, and Algeria’s Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum pose for photos before their talks, in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020. (Fatih Aktas/Turkish Foreign Ministry via AP, Pool)

In recent weeks, Turkish and Greek leaders have been engaged in tense rhetoric while their warships have been shadowing each other in the eastern Mediterranean. Both countries’ forces have been conducting a series of military exercises in the seas between Cyprus and the Greek island of Crete. The standoff was sparked when Turkey sent its research vessel, Oruc Reis, accompanied by warships to search for gas and oil reserves.

On Monday, Turkey announced that it was extending Oruc Reis’ mission by another 10 days, until Sept. 12.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has threatened Greece with military action, described Turkey’s activities in the eastern Mediterranean as the “pursuit of (its) rights and justice” and denounced what he said were Greek efforts to “imprison” Turkey to a small region surrounding its coast.

“Efforts to descend on the riches of the Mediterranean, which are the rights of every country around it, is an example of modern-day colonialism,” Erdogan said.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, right, and Algeria’s Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum pose for photos before their talks, in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020. (Cem Ozdel/Turkish Foreign Ministry via AP, Pool)

He also accused some nations he did not name of pushing Greece into a confrontation with Turkey.

“It is comical how (nations) are trying to throw a state that cannot even help itself as bait in front of a regional and global power like Turkey,” he said.

Greece voiced hope Monday that the threat of sanctions from its European Union partners would persuade Turkey to stop its offshore energy prospecting.

Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said the threat of sanctions gave Turkey an “exit strategy” from the evolving crisis.

“It is in Turkey’s interest above all, with its economy shaken and so many open fronts, to realize that right now Europe is offering it a way out … (allowing) the peaceful settling of our differences to define maritime zones between the two countries,” Petsas said.

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

Kostas Sloukas praises Greek Australian fans as Panathinaikos arrive in Sydney

Panathinaikos BC touched down in Sydney this week for the second leg of the 7th Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament.

From family legacy to the Federal Court: A look into Justice Anastasis Liveris’ legal career

In an exclusive interview with The Greek Herald, the Greek Australian judge reflected on how he felt to achieve this major career milestone.

The Greek influence on Australian television

Among the many communities that helped shape TV culture were Greeks, whose presence both on and off screen left a lasting mark.

Critically endangered monk seal welcomes newborn on Karpathos island

The first Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) birth of 2025 has been confirmed on the island of Karpathos.

Campaigners celebrate as Milos luxury hotel project is halted

Environmental activists have welcomed the suspension of a controversial five-star hotel project on Milos’s world-famous “moon beach”.

You May Also Like

Iconic Greek grocer in Redlands QLD transformed by the next generation

Andrew & Leoni’s, an iconic family-owned Redlands grocers in QLD will be transformed into a vintage, gourmet grocers and deli in October.

Aria Bolkus preselected as Labor’s candidate for Colton in 2026 SA election

Aria Bolkus has been officially preselected by the SA Labor Party as its candidate for the marginal seat of Colton in Adelaide’s west.

Canberra celebrates 26 years of the Greek Glendi

On Sunday, February 18, the Greek community of Canberra gathered to celebrate the 26 years of the Greek Glendi.