Eastern Mediterranean Crisis – Defense Minister Akar: We are ready to host the NATO meeting

The research vessel Oruç Reis, which has been operating in the eastern Mediterranean since 10 August, returned to Antalya with its warships. Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said: “We are in favor of a political solution”, referring to the talks in NATO.

Greek Prime Minister Kiryakos Miçotakis said that the return of Oruç Reis was a positive step.

The fact-finding mission, which sparked the biggest crisis in the region with Greece in recent years, was previously extended three times.

The last Navtex, announced on September 1, expired on Saturday, September 12.

Press held annually in Thessaloniki, answering questions at the Miçotakis meeting, “to reduce tension in the eastern Mediterranean, I hope it is not instantaneous of this step. We are ready to send out these positive signals as we continue exploratory talks with Turkey,” he said.

Miçotakis continued his words in the following way;

“In the dialogue that we must not abstain; we that this tension will determine behind us, let Turkey with us in the areas of maritime jurisdiction. I wish to initiate a process of dialogue in good faith. Such a positive development by itself Turkish / Greek it is not their relationship, it will also positively affect the sixth Turkey-EU realization. “

When asked, Miçotakis also said that he is ready to meet with President Erdogan face to face.

Turkey between Greece formally stated that it has not been announced maritime jurisdiction agreement Miçotakis, “you cannot declare maritime jurisdiction determined unilaterally by bilateral agreements. We want to make such a deal with Turkey. Get along if we have The Hague (International Criminal Court), let’s call it” , said. .

National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar also arrived in Kaş, off Meis Island, which is at the center of the dispute between the two countries, and made statements here.

Saying that they are in favor of dialogue and political solution, Minister Akar gave the message: “We expect the same from the other side. Therefore, if our demands are met in this matter, we are in favor of peace if they are met these requests “.

Speaking to Habertürk television, Akar said: “(NATO talks) We are ready to host the fourth meeting, let them come. We are right, we will not hesitate to meet.” said.

Akar accused French President Macron of “provoking” to make an arms deal with Greece.

“Oruç Reis operates within the limits of the continental shelf that we have declared to the UN since 2004. Our ship Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha has also worked here for a long time. We are not doing anything new. ” said.

Greece believes that islands, like the mainland, are entitled to the continental shelf and the EEZ. Meis Island (Kastelorizo) is located 2.4 km from Kaş district.

In a statement made by NATO earlier this month, it was noted that the two countries agreed to hold technical talks to prevent an accident in their navies.

Although Athens refused, the Turkish Defense Ministry announced that military officials from the two countries will meet at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday for the first stage talks.

Confirming this meeting in an interview with AA, Minister Akar said: “Our Greek neighbors have some preconditions. There can be no such thing. If the prerequisite is declared from the first stage, it means a deadlock. This cannot be a nobody’s favor, “he said.

Turkey is pushing this as a precondition for negotiations, Greece for the start of the Ankara speech would argue that the “threats” should end.

France, led by the head of the seven countries of the European Union, meeting on the island of Corsica, in the eastern Mediterranean, had announced that the crisis could support sanctions against Turkey.