Turkish Vice President Fuad Aktay said that there are ongoing talks about the current tension in the eastern Mediterranean region, while a French newspaper revealed that a Turkish warship had long tracked the French frigate "Lotonier" in the region, and was heading towards Lebanon. In return, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for a reduction Tension in the region and work to avoid a war.
The Turkish vice president added in a webinar organized by a Turkish research center, that his country is open to finding a diplomatic solution without preconditions on the problems between it and Athens in the eastern Mediterranean region.
"Of course we can sit down and talk and reach a solution, but the solution must be fair and acceptable to the Turkish people," Aktay said.
The eastern Mediterranean region has been witnessing for months an escalation of tension between Ankara and Athens, due to the mutual display of force and the vigorous exploration of energy resources by both parties, as Turkey and Greece contested sovereignty over marine areas in the Mediterranean, where huge natural gas reserves were discovered in recent years.
Turkey announces two new naval warnings in the eastern Mediterranean, the first from 8-22 September and the second from 17-25 September, in order to conduct exercises with live ammunition in the area near the gas exploration area, and Russia will participate in these exercises a new
campaign that Turkey played in the chessboard and balances to turn cards in the region
- omar khashram Omar Khashram (@ omarkh1234) September 2, 2020
French frigate
On the other hand, the French newspaper Le Figaro revealed that a Turkish warship had tracked the French frigate "Le Toniere" for a long time while it was heading to Lebanon to provide assistance after the Beirut port explosion in early August.
Since the beginning of the current round of tension in the Eastern Mediterranean, it has become clear that Paris has sought to play a role through its positions and moves that have put it against Turkey.
The Turkish behavior appears as a response to the French frigate's participation in an exercise with the Greek navy before heading to Lebanon, and after it approached the Turkish seismic operations area to explore for energy resources in the eastern Mediterranean.
Macron had said a few days ago that this summer he drew red lines in front of Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean.
And before that, he sent military reinforcements to the region and participated in military maneuvers with Greece and Cyprus.
The Turks responded by accusing France of bullying, and the Turkish president said that "what distinguishes the leaders of Greece and France is greed and incompetence."
He added that Turkey is "ready to sacrifice martyrs", asking, "Are the Greeks and the French ready for that?"
The entry of the European Union to the eastern Mediterranean gas crisis line .. Will it solve the conflict or fuel it?
# Evening pic.twitter.com/vdZWlASFck
- Al Jazeera Mubasher (@ajmubasher) August 28, 2020
Greece and France
In a related context, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panayotoyulus discussed yesterday with his French counterpart, Florence Parly, the ongoing developments in the Eastern Mediterranean region, and a statement issued by the Greek Ministry of Defense stated that the two sides addressed by phone the strengthening of their defense relations, and stressed the commitment of their countries to the laws, and "their endeavor to achieve Establishing security and stability in the eastern Mediterranean region. "
Athens accuses Turkey of illegally drilling for natural gas off its islands, and Ankara responds that it is drilling in areas belonging to the Turkish continental shelf.
On the other hand, the US Secretary of State called in a press conference yesterday Greece and Turkey to "reduce tension in the region regarding the disputed maritime borders and gas fields."
Secretary Pompeo added that President Donald Trump held talks with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
"They should sit together and start talks about all of this, and find diplomatic solutions," Pompeo said, adding, "It is pointless to increase military tension in the region, as that only brings negative things."
In this context, Pompeo announced on Tuesday that the United States had partially lifted the one-year ban imposed for more than 30 years on Cyprus selling "non-lethal" military equipment, which angered Ankara and threatened to take steps toward the US decision.
On Wednesday, the Cypriot government welcomed this step, which reflects a "recognition" of the island's role and the "importance" of its relations with the United States.