Turkey will make no concessions in the eastern Mediterranean, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared as France announced that it would join naval exercises in the region amid a mounting stand-off over hydrocarbons. Speaking at the commemorations for an nth-century battlefield victory by Seljuk Turks over the Byzantine empire, Mr Erdogan warned that Turkey would do “whatever is politically, economically and militarily necessary” to protect its rights. Turkey”will take whatever it is entitled to” in the Mediterranean and other maritime regions, he said, adding:”Justas we do not covet anyone else’s territory, sovereignty or interests, we will never make concessions on what belongs to us.”
Mr Erdogan took aim at Greece, which along with Cyprus has led calls to impose EU sanctions on Turkey in retaliation for what Athens says is its illegal drilling activities in an area rich with natural gas reserves. He added:”We want everyone to see that Turkey is no longer a country whose patience, determination, capability and bravery can be tested. If we say we are going to do something, we do it. We will pay the price, whatever it is.”
The Turkish leader’s strong words came as France’sarmed forces minister Florence Parly announced that France would join military exercises alongside Greece, Cyprus, Italy, and Greece in the eastern Mediterranea n, which has become a focal point for broader tensions between Ankara and other regional powers. Writing on Twitter as she announced that three Rafale fighter jets, a warship, and a helicopter would join the drills, Ms. Parlysaid that the Mediterranean should be a place of “stability and respect for international law” rather than “a playground for the ambitions” of certain actors.
The long-simmering conflict over maritime territory and gas rights in the region has been exacerbated by the civil war in Libya. Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and France are among the countries that have backed the opposing sideto Turkey in the oil-rich north African nation and have also waded into the eastern Mediterranean dispute.
France, which has been angered by Mr Erdogan’s policies in Syria as well as Libya, has called on the EU to back Greece and Cyprus in their conflict with Turkey over natural gas. Ankara responded by announcing – and then cancelling – a plan to conduct exploration activity in the waters off a Greek island near the Turkish coast.