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Tensions in the eastern Mediterranean have reached an unprecedented level, after Erdogan attacked Macron directly and told him “not to seek a discussion with Turkey.” At the same time, the United States was “deeply concerned” by Turkey’s actions.
The United States is “deeply concerned” by Turkey’s actions in the eastern Mediterranean, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Saturday, calling for a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
Tensions in the eastern Mediterranean have escalated due to territorial water claims between Turkey, Greece and Cyprus, in areas believed to be rich in natural resources.
“The countries of the region must resolve their disagreements, including those on security, energy resources and maritime affairs, diplomatically and peacefully,” Pompeo said Saturday night on his way to Cyprus, where he met with President Nicos Anastasiades, according to News.
Pompeo also said that “the increase in military tensions does not help anyone, only the opponents who want to see divisions in the transatlantic unit.”
Pompeo’s statement came after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Saturday “not to seek disputes with Turkey,” as tensions between the two countries rise over the situation in the eastern Mediterranean. .
“Don’t fight the Turkish people, don’t fight Turkey,” Erdogan said in a televised speech in Istanbul, referring to Macron’s harsh criticism of Ankara over the Turkish-Greek oil exploration conflict. in the Mediterranean, informs Agerpres.
Emmanuel Macron and six EU counterparts on Thursday called on Turkey to end its policy of “confrontation” in the eastern Mediterranean and threatened European sanctions if Ankara continued to challenge the rights of Greece and Cyprus to explore gas in the area.
Macron also said that the Turkish government “behaves unacceptably today” and must “clarify its intentions.”
Erdogan: “Mr. Macron, you are not finished with me!”
Erdogan on Saturday called on Greece to “stay away” from the “wrong” actions of countries like France in the eastern Mediterranean. France stepped up its military presence in the area last month.
“Mister Macron, you are not done with me!” The Turkish president told him, attacking him directly for the first time and telling his French counterpart by name.
Erdogan accused him of “lack of historical knowledge” and said that France “cannot teach humanity a lesson” to Turkey because of its colonial past in Algeria and its role in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.
Turkey claims the right to exploit hydrocarbon deposits in a maritime area that Athens considers to be under its sovereignty. In recent weeks, the two countries have shown their muscles through belligerent declarations, military maneuvers and the dispatch of ships to the area.
France has clearly shown its support for Greece by deploying warships and fighter jets in the region, an initiative virulently denounced by the Turkish president.
