Turkey responded to the European insinuation of imposing sanctions on it by asserting that the European Union has no "authority" to demand that Turkey stop its legitimate research inside its continental shelf for resources in the eastern Mediterranean, accusing the bloc of "increasing tensions" in the region.
A statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Friday that Ankara expects the European Union to play the role of "neutral mediator" in the conflict, referring to possible new sanctions by the European Union against Turkey over its search for gas in a disputed area with Greece.
Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said that Greece and the Greek Cyprus Administration are the two causes of tension in the eastern Mediterranean with their extremist actions and demands that violate international law.
He added that the unconditional support that this duo receives from the European Union under the pretext of solidarity further escalates tension in the region.
He pointed out that while Turkey always affirms that it stands on the side of dialogue, the Union has resorted to the language of sanctions, which does not help in solving the problems.
He stressed that Greece is not an archipelago country, and the claim that its islands close to Anatolia, especially the island of Mies, have a continental shelf, is inconsistent with international law and legal jurisprudence in this field.
Concomitantly; On Friday, Turkish Vice President Fuad Oktay discussed with the head of the European Union delegation to Turkey Christian Berger a number of issues, including the eastern Mediterranean file.
Waving sanctions
The European Union's foreign affairs coordinator Josep Borrell said that the European Union wants to give a chance to a serious dialogue between Turkey and Greece, but he hinted at the possibility of taking measures against Ankara if it does not make progress to resolve the dispute over gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean.
Josep Borrell said that the measures could include individuals, ships or the use of European ports, adding that the European Union would focus on everything related to "activities that we consider illegal."
At the conclusion of the meeting of the Union's foreign ministers in Berlin, Borrell called on Ankara to refrain from what he called unilateral measures, suggesting the possibility of imposing economic sanctions on it.
"We want to search for a way to a better relationship that includes both European and Turkish interests, and for this we have to walk a dividing line between preserving a real contribution to the dialogue and at the same time creating an integrated force in defense of our common interests," he added.
Tensions between Turkey and Greece escalated after Ankara sent a survey ship to a disputed region in the eastern Mediterranean this month, in a move Athens described as illegal.
Merkel supports Greece And
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that all European Union countries are obligated to support Greece in the eastern Mediterranean crisis. She added that she discussed with French President Emmanuel Macron developments in the conflict between Turkey and Greece.
During a press conference, Merkel clarified today that the EU countries have a duty to seriously consider Greece’s rights and statements and support them when they are right.
She added that she had made efforts to prevent the escalation of tension, "and this matter sometimes can only be achieved by repeatedly speaking between the two parties," noting that it is not possible to hold separate discussions on the allocation of economic zones, and Germany is striving for that.
The German Chancellor pointed out that she was in intensive discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron about relations with Turkey.
"These relations are multifaceted, as Turkey is an ally in NATO, and the dispute is between two NATO members, and this cannot leave us indifferent," she added.
Merkel indicated that these matters need to be clarified within the alliance, and stressed that she is also conducting intensive talks in this context with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
On the other hand, the Al-Jazeera correspondent in Ankara reported that Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar made a phone call with his British counterpart Ben Wallace, and they discussed bilateral relations and regional affairs, the most important of which are the Libyan issue and tension in the eastern Mediterranean.
Extending the mission of the Aruj Reis ship. On
Thursday, Ankara announced the extension of the mission of the "Aruj Reis" research ship in the eastern Mediterranean for 5 additional days, ending next Tuesday.
This ship, accompanied by warships, was sent on August 10, and the mission period was extended last Sunday, before it was extended again.
Yesterday, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar threatened Greece by saying, "If you violate our borders, we will be well-known," stressing that his country always supports dialogue and does not want that to happen.
Akar stated that Turkey is open to dialogue to solve the outstanding problems in the Aegean Sea, and that it wants peace and prosperity, but at the same time it does not neglect its rights.
He added that if the Greek officials took a positive decision in the coming days, "we will be happy to host them," and stressed that his country would not allow the usurpation of a single drop of its territorial waters.
He revealed that the naval maneuvers were held in the eastern Mediterranean, including training on live fire with live ammunition, on September 1 and 2, and explained that the area of the exercises is located south of the city of Iskenderun in Hatay Governorate (south of the country).
Athens accuses Turkey of illegally drilling for natural gas off its islands, and Ankara responds that these waters belong to the Turkish continental shelf, and therefore it has the right to explore for gas there.