Erdogan says no threats can deter Turkey’s operations in Mediterranean (updated)
No threats can deter Turkey from seeking natural resources in the eastern Mediterranean, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday, adding that Ankara expects actors in the region to take steps to de-escalate tensions.
Cyprus and Greece are locked in a dispute with Turkey over claims to areas potentially rich in resources with two Turkish survey vessels in Greece and Cyprus’ exclusive economic zones (EEZ)s. On Tuesday, Cyprus said it was willing to engage with all its neighbours on defining maritime boundaries.
“Turkey is determined to seek its rights in the eastern Mediterranean until the end,” Erdogan said in a speech in Ankara.
“No colonialist power or threat can deter our country from the oil and natural gas resources believed to be in the region,” he said, adding Ankara wanted to solve the dispute through dialogue and diplomacy, rather than escalate tensions.
Commenting on the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, EU Council President Charles Michel said a physical meeting is needed to discuss the situation with Turkey.
He added the EU’s solidarity towards Greece and Cyprus, where Turkey is violating their EEZs, is real not virtual and the council will deal with the issue.
There are various options on the table regarding the EU relations with Turkey, he said.
“I have been involved the very recent days and weeks, I’ve been in close contact with the Greek and Cypriot authorities and also with other European countries who are very much involved in this,” Michel said.
He added there has been contact with NATO and Erdogan on the matter.
Later, when asked about the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean President of the European Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen said: “Of course these are two different situations, because we have long history with Turkey, of opportunities, cooperation, but also conflict.”
She added: “For us is first and foremost important the willingness on all sides to engage in a problem-solving dialogue. This is the most important, there are problems out there, there are conflicts out there, and they should be solved together.”
EU Council members will meet on September 24 and 25 to discuss the violations in the Eastern Mediterranean.