“Turkey is always ready to solve the Eastern Mediterranean problem through dialogue on an equal footing,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Thursday at an event marking the 19th anniversary of the ruling Justice and Development Party.

“The solution in the Eastern Mediterranean is dialogue and negotiation. If we act with common sense, we can find a formula that protects the rights of all” he said.

Erdogan said in his speech that the Greek Cypriot administration and Greece are increasing tensions in the Mediterranean, not Turkey.

He also stressed that Turkey would not allow any country to violate its rights in the region.

On August 10, the Turkish vessel NAVTEX began conducting new seismic surveys in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The decision of Turkey was made on the basis of the controversial agreement on the delimitation of the border signed between Greece and Egypt, only a day after Turkey, under the influence of Germany, announced that it would postpone its research activities in the region as a sign of goodwill.

But after the announcement of the deal as “null and void”, Turkey decided to resume work in the continental shelf area.

The ship will continue seismic operations in the Eastern Mediterranean together with the Cengiz Han and Ataman ships until August 23.

Turkey has continuously challenged the ownership of resources in the Eastern Mediterranean only to Southern Cyprus, claiming that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is also entitled to them.

Turkey’s decision to announce the resumption of exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean triggered tensions with Greece on Monday. Athens responded to the decision with a written statement and brought its fleet on alert.

Source: Reuters