NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that Greece and Turkey have agreed to hold talks to avoid any accidental military clashes in the eastern Mediterranean, while Turkey appreciated Germany's efforts to contain tension in the region.
"In the wake of my discussions with Greek and Turkish leaders, the two countries in NATO agreed to enter into technical talks at the (headquarters) of the alliance to find mechanisms to reduce the risk of accidents in the eastern Mediterranean," Stoltenberg said in a statement.
In the same context, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed today the efforts of German Chancellor Angela Merkel in order to solve the problems caused by Greece and its backers in the eastern Mediterranean, as stated in a statement issued by the Presidency of the Contact Department in the Turkish Presidency.
Erdogan told Merkel during a video call that the support provided by some countries for Greece's "selfish and unfair" stance in the eastern Mediterranean was unacceptable.
The Turkish Minister of Defense flew today in a warplane (communication sites)
Akar had said - during a speech he gave during his visit to the air base in the city of Eskişehir in central Turkey - that his country does not seek to create tension, but rather to preserve its rights and interests with faith, science and law, stressing that no one can prevent it from doing so.
The Minister of Defense reiterated his country's support for the idea of dialogue despite all developments in the eastern Mediterranean, indicating that France has no right to interfere in the region.
On the other hand, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panayotopoulos held a phone call with his French counterpart, Florence Parly, and the Greek Ministry of Defense stated that the two sides discussed current developments in the eastern Mediterranean region, and confirmed their determination to maintain peace and stability in the eastern Mediterranean.
The UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed also discussed - during a phone call with the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias - developments in the eastern Mediterranean region.
The two sides touched on the latest developments in the region, and bin Zayed stressed the distinguished friendship between the two countries, noting the keenness to strengthen them and develop and develop joint cooperation in all fields, as reported by the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
The eastern Mediterranean region is witnessing military preparations waved by Turkey on the one hand, Greece and France on the other hand, after Turkey began exploring for natural gas off Greek islands, after which Athens accused Ankara of illegally drilling, while Ankara responds that it is exploring areas that belong to its continental shelf.