Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan noted that Turkey wants to open a new page in its relations with the European Union (EU), meanwhile, the latter warned Turkey of interventions that jeopardize the EU’s security interests.
The president dismissed sanctions against Turkey, vowing the country would continue to maintain its sovereign rights.
Those who threaten Turkey with sanctions will end up disappointed, Erdogan said in a speech he delivered via video link at a highway opening.
"We are determined to put across that Turkey will never hesitate to use its sovereign rights," he added.
Further, Erdogan held a video call on Friday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on bilateral relations and Turkey-EU ties, the Turkish Presidency's Directorate of Communications said.
Turkey continues to demonstrate goodwill and a constructive attitude on the Eastern Mediterranean issue, Erdogan stated.
Turkey is not afraid of the US's unilateral sanctions, the country's vice president said on Friday.
"As always, we will continue to be on the side of common sense, in line with the interests of our nation. We are not afraid of US unilateral sanction," Fuat Oktay told the lawmakers in his closing speech while debating the 2021 budget in the parliament.
Oktay called on the US to gain Turkey's friendship instead of imposing sanctions.
"Every country that excludes Turkey will have less room for action in the region," he said while condemning the "unfair sanction decision".
For his part, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell pointed out that “the Turkish role in both Syria and Libya” is “being inconsistent with the security interests of the European Union as a whole.”
Borrell said in a statement: “Tensions in the eastern Mediterranean and relations with Turkey were among the biggest challenges facing the European Union in 2020, and the situation will probably continue as such in 2021.”
He added that it seems that the EU will be unable to achieve stability in Europe as long as the necessary balance in its relations with Turkey remains absent.
Borrell also expressed his concern about the agreement between Turkey and the Government of National Accord, and the subsequent Turkish exploration work, which has become a direct challenge to Greece and Cyprus.
In the same context, Greek Foreign Affairs Minister Nikos Dendias stated that the EU considers Turkey to be openly undermining the stability in the region.
Notably, the EU leaders decided to postpone sanctions on figures in Turkey until assessing the situation during the Euro Summit in March.
