[ad_1]
Emmanuel Macron in Corsica. Image: keystone
Macron criticizes Erdogan harshly: Turkey’s reaction follows immediately
French President Emmanuel Macron used the EU Southern Summit in Corsica to launch a new attack on his Turkish colleague Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey is no longer a partner in the eastern Mediterranean region, Macron said Thursday in Ajaccio, on the Mediterranean island of Corsica. Turkey immediately responded with harsh criticism to the statements of the most powerful French.
The 42-year-old had invited heads of state and government from six southern EU countries, including Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. At the beginning of the talks, Macron met with Mitsotakis, according to Elysée circles.
In the conversation with a view to the conflict with Turkey, Macron confirmed that France would support Greece, as said. Discussions are ongoing on a strategic partnership that will lead to the signing of an agreement in the coming months.
Macron previously asked journalists to take a firm stance on the part of Europeans towards the Turkish government. Europe’s voice must be more united and clearer than before. “Our red lines are simply respect for the sovereignty of each European member state, respect for international law.” He would like to re-enter a “fruitful dialogue with NATO member Turkey”.
Recently, the situation in the eastern Mediterranean has become dangerously tense. Turkey is looking for natural gas reserves. Greece and Cyprus believe that drilling is taking place in their maritime areas and is therefore illegal. Ankara rejects this. France recently increased its military presence in the region in solidarity with Athens and Nicosia.
Ankara reacts
Macron had made an “arrogant statement” that was an expression of his helplessness and despair, he said in a message from the Turkish Foreign Ministry. Macron’s behavior shows “old colonialist reflections” and endangers the interests of the EU. Nor is it authorized to decide on borders in the Mediterranean.
In Corsica, France, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Italy, Spain and Portugal they wanted to vote before the special EU summit on September 24 and 25, as Macron’s circle said. It is the seventh informal summit meeting of the group, which is called “Med7” in diplomatic jargon.
The “Med7” at the round table in Corsica. Image: keystone
Mitsotakis threatened sanctions in the dispute over areas in the Aegean. In an article on behalf of the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” (Thursday), he also proposed that it be referred to the International Court of Justice. If Ankara does not see its senses at the special EU summit at the end of the month, EU heads of government “would have no choice but to adopt effective sanctions,” Mitsotakis wrote.
Macron appealed for European help after the great fire in the Greek refugee camp of Moria. “We have to show solidarity with Greece.” According to information from the German Press Agency, Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and Macron want to take in 400 unaccompanied minors together with other EU countries.
Macron criticizes Turkey for its use in Libya
The French head of state criticized Erdogan’s behavior in the Libyan conflict, as well as gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean as “unacceptable.” Macron had already attacked Ankara several times due to the Libyan conflict, because it also threatens the security of Europe. Turkey supports the internationally recognized government of Libya in the conflict. Turkey is sending radical militiamen from Syria to Tripoli, it was said in circles at the Elysee Palace.
In the North African country of Libya, since the overthrow of long-term ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi in 2011, there has been a civil war fueled from abroad. As Turkey supports the Tripoli government, the influential General Khalifa Haftar is receiving aid from Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Russia, among others. (cma / sda / dpa)
