MED7: Message-blow to Turkey from Corsica – “Pax Mediterranea”, says Macron, Ankara furious | POLITICS

With clear messages to Turkey, about its position in the Eastern Mediterranean, but also with full support for Greece and Cyprus, the MED7 leaders’ discussions ended yesterday in Corsica.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in a face-to-face meeting with Emanuel Macron, fully agreed on how Europe should move towards Ankara, with the two leaders clarifying that dialogue can only take place if provocations by Turkey are stopped. otherwise, it will follow the path of sanctions.

In fact, according to government sources, the prime minister is expected to make a more detailed report on what was discussed in Corsica, starting from his speech in Thessaloniki on Saturday.

Mitsotakis: We will not allow Turkey to divide Europe

At the joint “7” press conference, Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke of a “very clear message in Turkey.”

“The Summit conclusions in paragraph 6 send a very clear message. They show the way in Turkey. If you really want an honest dialogue with Greece, Cyprus and the EU, you must prove it in practice. Stop unilateral actions, give convincing signals that international standards are strictly and not selectively respected. “End of challenges, beginning of discussions”, he initially stressed, clarifying that “the Mediterranean is a vital space for European security as a whole and is not assigned to third parties ”.

“Facing the European Council, we will prevent Turkey from trying to divide Europe.” Support for Greece and Cyprus is not an expression of solidarity, it is an acknowledgment that strategic interests for Europe are at stake, “he added, noting that Turkey has time. to take a step back.

“Refrain from maritime and research activities in unrestricted maritime zones, return to the table of exploratory talks, where it came from in 2016, and if we do not agree, there is always the solution of the Court of The Hague,” he said.

“It is the first time that I have participated in the Euro-Mediterranean Conference and I can say that since its inception it has never had to face so many complex challenges. Our sympathy has never been stronger. “Hopefully next year, when he is staying in Greece and specifically in Crete, everything will be much more optimistic,” concluded the Greek prime minister in his remarks.

Macron against Turkey and Russia

For his part, Emanuel Macron denounced the “hegemonic game” of Russia and Turkey in the Mediterranean. The French president commented on developments not only in the Eastern Mediterranean, but also on what is happening in Syria and Libya, with the role played by Russia and Turkey in the region.

“Our Mediterranean is today the scene of a prolonged conflict, in Syria, in Libya.” The hegemonic game of the historical forces that seek to destabilize the entire region and the role of Russia, as well as Turkey, concern us, “he said.

Macron also referred to the tragedy in Moria, emphasizing that both France and Germany will contribute by accepting unaccompanied children.

“France and Germany will join forces and we will propose that we also accept unaccompanied minors. “We must renew the agreement with Turkey, so that the readmission mechanism works,” he said.
Regarding the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, he stated that “there is no doubt about the support for Greece and Cyprus and our common goal is to restore stability in the region, stop unilateral actions, stop drilling, of course.”

“We are not naive,” but the Med7 countries want to resume a “good faith dialogue” with Turkey, French President Emanuel Macron said.

“Pax Mediterranea” [Ειρήνη στη Μεσόγειο] Emanuel Macron wrote on Twitter at the end of the conference. A message that France has strategically chosen the side that will support the Mediterranean but also that it is a superpower, as it used to be with Pax Romana and Pax Americana.

Conte: solidarity with Greeks and Cypriots

Rome’s solidarity with the Greeks and Cypriots, who “face unilateral action by Turkey”, was expressed tonight by the Prime Minister of Italy, Giuseppe Conte, after the end of the Med7 Summit in Corsica. “The tensions in the eastern Mediterranean region concern us all,” Conte said.

Satisfaction Anastasiadis

For his part, Nikos Anastasiadis did not hide his satisfaction at the fact that the MED7 leaders had a unanimous position on the situation in the Mediterranean.

“I welcome the unanimous position, but also the determination of all European leaders, as reflected in the joint statement on the need to end the illegal actions of Ankara in the EEZ of Cyprus and Greece,” said the President of Cyprus.

“We agreed that we will use all EU means to address the Turkish provocation, including additional sanctions against all those involved in illegal activities in Cyprus, and that the issue of EU-Turkey relations will be further discussed at the next European Council,” he added . and asked Ankara to respect international law and “enter into negotiations for the delimitation of maritime zones between us or the submission, if they refuse, of the whole case to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.”

What the Med7 Group’s findings say

The text of the conclusions (paragraph 6: Peace and stability in the Mediterranean) lists Med7’s full support in Greece and Cyprus.

In particular, the following is stated: “The leaders expressed their full support and solidarity in Greece and Cyprus for the repeated violations of sovereignty and sovereign rights, as well as for the aggressive actions of Turkey. They call on all countries in the region that comply with international law, in particular international maritime law, and encourage all parties to resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiation.

They even welcome the mediation effort of Josep Borrell and Germany with the aim of continuing the dialogue between Greece and Turkey on the issue of maritime zones. The seven leaders, taking into account the conclusions of the recent European Council, deplore the fact that Turkey has not responded to repeated calls by the EU to end its unilateral and illegal actions in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean.

The leaders affirm – following the informal Council of Foreign Ministers (Gymnich) in August – that they agree to work on additional lists based on the proposals presented so far, for immediate adoption. They argue that, in the absence of progress in Turkey’s participation in the dialogue, unless it ends unilateral activities, the EU is ready to draw up a list of new restrictive measures to be discussed at the European Council meeting in the days September 24 and 25, 2020.

Ankara and Macron are furious

At the same time, Turkey is “seething” over Macron’s stance. It is characteristic that last night the representative of the government, Omer Celik, spoke of “colonial tendencies” of Macron.

«Macron continues colonialism “At a time when President Erdogan continues to defend the interests of the oppressed, defend peace and fight against the games of the colonialists,” he said, referring to a statement by Macron that “we must be tougher on the Turkish government and “Not with the Turkish people who deserve more than an Erdogan government,” Anadolu reported.

“It is another old game of miserable colonialists.” They are offering a false show of love to exploit the people, but in essence they are targeting the patriotic leaders, “said Celik, who said he was” proud that the colonial tendency of the Turkish president be in the center of attention. ”

“Macron is responsible for the common grave crimes committed by Haftar in Libya. Now, he is trying to expand his colonialism with the Mediterranean, using Greece.” He continues with a game he played in Syria, destroying it and putting up with Erdogan because he does not allow his aggression”.

Tsavousoglou: France should apologize

At the same time, from the European Parliament, Melvut Tsavousoglou stated that France should apologize, while attacking Greece and Cyprus, saying that they are “poisoning” the EU.

“Greece and Cyprus are poisoning relations between the European Union and Turkey.” The Athens and Nicosia agreements with neighboring countries, such as Egypt, Lebanon and Israel, show that the Mitsotakis government does not want the dialogue between the two sides to continue. ” Tsavousoglou said, adding: “Greece does not want to.” He starts the dialogue with us, he always stands it up. “If Greece establishes conditions, we also have them.

At the same time, he asked France to apologize to Turkey for its support for the “PKK terrorists” and asked the EU to follow Angela Merkel’s advice for an “honest” mediation to reduce the crisis.

In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry also denounced as “arrogant” the statements of President Macron, who criticized Ankara’s actions in the Eastern Mediterranean and accused it of “endangering” the interests of Europe. “French President Macron has again made arrogant statements, with an old colonial reflex, fueling tensions and endangering the interests of Europe and the European Union,” he said.