Defence Redefined

Published on 11/08/2020 at 09:16

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will have a telephone conversation with political leaders today about the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Yesterday, the Greek Prime Minister had a telephone conversation with NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg.

In this context, the Prime Minister briefed Mr. Stoltenberg on the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the activities of Turkey, which undermine stability in the south-eastern flank of NATO, emphasizing that the policy of equal distances is counterproductive and unacceptable.

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This morning, the Prime Minister had a telephone conversation with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, to inform him also about the Greece-Egypt agreement regarding the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone and the worrying developments in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias, had already instructed the Greek Embassy in Ankara this morning to carry out a strict protest action at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This was followed by telephone conversations with the Foreign Ministers of Germany, Cyprus and Bahrain, during which, as was announced, the Foreign Minister developed the content of the Greek-Egyptian EEZ delimitation agreement that was concluded on the basis of International Law, International Law of the Sea and Good Neighborliness rules. Furthermore, he referred to Ankara’s provocative moves in the region in response to this perfectly legal agreement. It was also announced that the contacts of the Minister of Foreign Affairs will continue in the next hours and days.

At the same time, the State Department called on Turkey to immediately suspend Oruc Reis’ research activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Answering a question, the US State Department spokesman described the actions as provocative and said they raise tensions in the region.

“The United States is aware that Turkey has issued a notification to other ships of survey activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. We urge Turkish authorities to halt any such plans for operations and to avoid steps that raise tensions in the region. The United States is deeply concerned by Turkey’s stated plans to survey for natural resources in areas over which Greece and Cyprus assert jurisdiction in the Eastern Mediterranean. Such actions are provocative and raise tensions in the region. Resource development in the Eastern Mediterranean should promote cooperation and provide the foundations for lasting energy security and economic prosperity throughout the region.”

With information from: CNA / ANA MPA

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