International Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stated on Monday that Turkey has provided to renew exploratory talks with Greece on hydrocarbon sources within the Japanese Mediterranean, as Ankara needs to enhance ties with the European Union.
The 2 neighbors and NATO members have been at loggerheads over maritime exploration rights within the Mediterranean, amongst different points. “We need to make an official invitation. As of at the moment, we urge Greece to begin exploratory talks, with the primary assembly to be held inside the month of January,” Cavusoglu stated. “So Greece has no excuse proper now.”
Athens and Ankara held 60 rounds of talks between 2002 and 2016. Final yr, Greece refused to renew discussions after Turkey deployed a seismic exploration vessel to the disputed space. Ankara has since recalled it.
Greece’s International Ministry stated on Monday that Athens has not obtained a proper invitation from Turkey. Nevertheless, Athens “has expressed its intention to answer any such invitation… on the difficulty of demarcation of an Unique Financial Zone (EEZ) and the continental shelf,” a spokesman added.
Cavusoglu made his assertion on Monday, talking in Ankara alongside his Turkish Cypriot counterpart, whereas insisting that there should be a two-state resolution in Cyprus.
The EU threatened to impose sanctions on Ankara amid its dispute with each Greece and the Greek Cypriots over rights to offshore sources, however the transfer was postponed till March.
Turkey had earlier floated a proposal for an Japanese Mediterranean convention, and the suggestion may very well be mentioned when Cavusoglu meets EU ambassadors on Tuesday in Ankara. The migrant deal and customs union with Brussels, in addition to visa liberalization for Turks, are additionally on the agenda.
The diplomatic strikes observe President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s promise late final yr to show a brand new web page with the EU. On Saturday, he burdened that Turkey sees its future in Europe.
Assume your mates would have an interest? Share this story!
