Turkey on Saturday expressed reservations on the EU calls for talks to remove tension with Greece, and instead called on the EU to address those who take unilateral and provocative steps in the eastern Mediterranean.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry said Ankara was in favor of dialogue and negotiations but was also determined to defend its legitimate rights and interests.
“The European Union’s call should not be towards Turkey but those who take unilateral and provocative steps in the eastern Mediterranean, showing no respect for the rights and interests of Turkey and Cypriot Turks,” a Foreign Ministry tweet read.
The reaction follows a call by 27 EU foreign affairs ministers for de-escalation in the eastern Mediterranean.
On Friday, an extraordinary videoconference was held on Greece’s request after Turkey sent one of its seismic vessels escorted by warships in Greek waters.
“The serious deterioration in the relationship with Turkey is having far-reaching strategic consequences for the entire EU, well beyond the eastern Mediterranean,” the statement said, and warned against “greater antagonism and distrust” that Turkey’s actions could bring.
Meanwhile, Ankara sent on Saturday eight F-16 jets and a number of warship frigates to enhance the protection of its Oruc Reis seismic research ship, which is currently on a two-week mission in the region.
Turkish media outlets linked those military enhancements to France’ recent deployment of two Rafale fighter jets and a naval frigate in the eastern Mediterranean because of tensions between Greece and Turkey.
On Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country will not hesitate to respond to slightest harassment against its energy exploration ship in Eastern Mediterranean.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is set to meet Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, two days after the US official held talks with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias in Vienna. The talks focused on Turkish aggression in the Eastern Mediterranean.
