European efforts to contain tension in the eastern Mediterranean .. Turkey and Cyprus welcome conditional dialogue

Moves are accelerating to contain the escalation in the eastern Mediterranean, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the differences can be resolved through dialogue without prejudice to rights, after his Cypriot counterpart Nikos Anastasiades expressed his readiness for dialogue "without provocation," while calling for European support.

Erdogan held consultations via video technology with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, during which he said that the differences in the eastern Mediterranean can be resolved through negotiations as long as a constructive and fair-based approach is available.

He referred to the need for European countries to be "fair and balanced in the issue of the Eastern Mediterranean," stressing that his country would continue to implement firm and effective policies regarding its rights.

In this context, Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Faruk Kayemekji said, speaking in an online session on relations between the European Union and Turkey, that Turkey's operations in the eastern Mediterranean came as a response to "unilateral measures" by the Greek Cypriots and Greece, and not to intimidation.

"This is not intimidation, just to say that Turkey will continue to defend its rights, as well as the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, who have been deceived by the Greek Cypriots and the European Union," he added, referring to the failure of many efforts to unify the island of Cyprus.

This comes after Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades met with European Council President Charles Michel in Nicosia today, and said that his country is ready for dialogue with Turkey to resolve disputes, but "without blackmail or threats."

Anastasiades stressed the need for the European Union to work to create conditions of stability in the region, as well as what he called "unity against Turkey" before the meeting of European Union leaders at their summit scheduled for the 24th and 25th of this month.

Anastasiades also criticized Turkey's decision yesterday to extend operations of the "Yavuz" vessel to explore disputed waters off Cyprus until October 12.

Earlier in the day, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that there is no justification for Turkey's "intimidation" of Greece and Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean, adding, "Greece and Cyprus can count on Europe's full solidarity in order to protect their sovereign rights."