Turkey affirmed its complete rejection of what it described as the false allegations and accusations that were directed against it during the tripartite summit held in Nicosia between Egypt, Greece and Cyprus, and affirmed that it would never give up its rights in the region.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry stated that the final statement of the tripartite meeting - which took place in the Roman side of the island of Cyprus - contained baseless allegations and accusations against Turkey.
In a statement, she confirmed her complete rejection of the contents of the final statement issued by the aforementioned tripartite meeting, noting that this tripartite bloc - which claims to seek peace, cooperation and stability in the eastern Mediterranean - repeatedly targets Turkey, and that this targeting demonstrates its true intentions.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry stressed that real cooperation in the eastern Mediterranean will only take place with the participation of the Turkish Cypriots and all countries bordering the Mediterranean.
She indicated that the solution to the region's problems will not be accomplished unless the countries that create the problems change their hostile policies towards the region.
For his part, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said that Turkey refuses to accept any illogical conditions set by other parties to solve the eastern Mediterranean crisis.
Akar called on neighboring countries to dialogue and solve problems within legal frameworks regarding the eastern Mediterranean crisis.
Extending the mission of the Aruj Reis ship
In parallel, the Turkish Navy said that the vessel "Aruj Reis" - which was scheduled to end its mission on Thursday - will continue its maritime work until the 27th of this month.
About 10 days ago, and following the failure of Greece to announce military maneuvers in the eastern Mediterranean, Ankara announced that the ship "Aruj Reis" would sail again from Antalya (southern Turkey) to carry out exploration work in a marine area only 15 km from Turkish shores and 425 km from the Greek mainland The main one, and this step sparked then condemned European positions.
Oktay: We will not give up a drop of water.
In conjunction with the decision to extend the mission of the Turkish exploration ship, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay stressed that his country will not give up an inch of its land or a drop of its territorial waters to anyone, not just Greece.
Oktay said - in an interview with CNN Turk yesterday, Wednesday - that his country has its own continental shelf in the Mediterranean in which it is drilling, adding that it does not need permission or approval from anyone, and that it will continue excavation and research in the Mediterranean. And also in North Cyprus.
"Turkey will not give up an inch of its land or a drop of its territorial waters to anyone, not just Greece, especially with regard to the rights of future generations, as it will not give up on it to anyone, no matter what it costs."
Illusions of imperialism
The leaders of Egypt, Greece and Cyprus held a joint press conference yesterday, after the meeting that took place in Roman Cyprus, to discuss the Mediterranean crisis and the existing tension with Turkey.
The President of Cyprus, Nikos Anastasiades, stated that the tripartite cooperation aims to provide peace and security in the eastern Mediterranean, and that it is not against any country.
Anastasiades explained that the three countries strongly condemn the exploration activities carried out by Turkey in the Aegean Sea and the eastern Mediterranean.
He pointed out that during the meeting they discussed the results of the presidential elections in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, pointing out that he invited President Arsen Tatar to meet him informally.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that Turkey has "imperial illusions" in the eastern Mediterranean.
Egyptian statements
For his part, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said that he had agreed during his talks with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cyprus President Nikos Anastasiades on the need to respond to what he described as provocative policies that undermine stability, and he was apparently referring to Turkey.
A spokesman for the Egyptian presidency said that the tripartite summit stresses the need to proceed with the implementation of joint projects within the framework of the tripartite cooperation mechanism, and to address challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East regions.