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Turkey decries European statement in support of Greece as ‘biased’

Friday, 11 September 2020 1:29 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 11 September 2020 2:08 PM ]

A handout photo released by the Greek National Defense Ministry on August 26, 2020 shows the Greek Hydra-class frigate Spetsai (F-453) of the Hellenic Navy (front) and another ship taking part in a military exercise in the eastern Mediterranean Sea amid tensions with Turkey, on August 25, 2020. (Via AFP)

Turkey has decried as “biased” a statement issued by European countries in which they threatened sanctions against Ankara in a dispute with Greece over maritime boundaries.

“The expressions in the joint communique… are biased, disconnected from reality and lack a legal basis,” Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday, a day after a European summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.

In a joint statement late on Thursday, France, Italy, Spain, Malta, Portugal, Greece, and Cyprus said the European Union “is ready to develop a list of further restrictive measures” on Turkey unless Ankara ends its “confrontational actions.”

According to the statement, the measures could be discussed at the European Council on September 24-25.

NATO allies Greece and Turkey are at odds over a range of issues, including sea boundaries. Tensions have spiked between the two since Ankara resumed energy exploration work in a disputed area of the eastern Mediterranean on August 10.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Friday urged the EU countries supporting Greece’s claims to “abandon their one-sided approach.”

Ankara also reiterated its call for unconditional talks with Greece.

“We invite Greece to give up its illegal and maximalist claims over maritime zones,” the ministry said.

In remarks published on Thursday, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed the importance of dialog with Turkey provided that it was held on peaceful terms, not “at gunpoint.”

Greece says dialog with Turkey important, but not ‘at gunpoint’

The Greek prime minister says dialog with Turkey over sea boundaries in the region is important but only if it is held on peaceful terms.

Greece and Turkey almost went to war in 1974 over Cyprus, which has since been divided, with the northern third run by a Turkish Cypriot administration recognized only by Turkey and the southern two-thirds governed by the internationally-recognized Greek Cypriot government.

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