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

greek film festival melbourne

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

Back to Greece: Four journeys, one shared return

As the Back to Greece series closes, what remains is more than a collection of travel diaries - it’s a mosaic of memory and identity.

Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney to hold memorial marking 113 years since Lesvos’ liberation

The Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney will honour the 113th anniversary of the Liberation of Lesvos with a series of commemorative events.

Film Review: ‘Athens Midnight Radio’ is Haralambidis’ nocturnal love letter to Athens

The 30th Greek Film Festival opened last week and featured a screening of Renos Haralambidis’ Athens Midnight Radio (2024).

Elena Pappas honoured with the 2025 Stephen Myall Award

At the Law Institute of Victoria’s annual awards ceremony in October 2025, Elena Pappas was recognised with the Stephen Myall Award.

‘Fertility and Filoxenia’: Empowering conversations on fertility and IVF options

The Hellenic Medical Society of Australia and Greek Community of Melbourne invite everyone to attend a free educational event on fertility.

You May Also Like

Peter Katholos (The Kat): Legend on the field and fighter in life

Peter-Panagiotis Katholos, also known as 'The Kat', is a footballer unique for his talent, but also for his love of Greece.

Europe scrambles to address fate of homeless refugees after Greek camp fire

13,000 migrants headed to the Mytilene port as the Moria camp, Greece's largest migrant camp, burned to ash behind them.

From Cyprus to Australia: A Greek Cypriot refugee’s story of loss and renewal

Georgia Yiannoukas’ early life in Paphos, Cyprus was without financial difficulties. She could never imagine she’d become a refugee.