Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar reiterated Sunday the hardline stance on drilling inside Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone.
Akar told Anadolu News Agency that Ankara is determined to protect its rights in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea under international law.
“Along with the rights in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean under international law, as a guarantor country, Turkey is determined to always protect the rights of the people of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and not to allow the fait accompli,” Akar told Anadolu Agency.
The minister’s remarks came a day after the Greek Foreign Ministry called Turkey to stop drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Akar called on Greece for common sense and cooperation and added that the energy sources in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean should serve as a bridge for peace, dialogue, and mutual development.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry also issued a statement on May 4 to reject the remarks made by EU’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini regarding Turkey’s hydrocarbon exploration activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“Turkey’s hydrocarbon related activities in the Eastern Mediterranean region are based on its legitimate rights stemming from international law.
“As we previously stressed on many occasions, having the longest coastal line in the region, we will protect our own rights and interests within our continental shelf, as well as those of the Turkish Cypriots around the Cyprus Island,” the ministry said.
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