Turkish National Security Council reiterates Ankara’s position on Aegean and Cyprus
The Turkish National Security Council (NSC) convened on Thursday under Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and reaffirmed Ankara’s stance on the Aegean and Cyprus issues.
According to the NSC’s statement, while Turkey remains open to dialogue on matters related to the Aegean and the Mediterranean, it will persist in defending its rights and interests.
On Cyprus, the NSC reiterated its “firm position” on resolving the issue in line with the “equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people” and the “recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as an equal member of the international community.”
This statement was the latest in a series of comments from both Athens and Ankara regarding this week’s incident in the southern Aegean.
Earlier on Thursday, Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis countered the Turkish claim that Athens had conceded to Turkey’s expansionist demands in the Aegean.
On Tuesday, Turkish naval vessels gathered near the islands of Kassos and Karpathos while the Italian research vessel Ievoli Relume conducted studies for an underwater power link between Crete and Cyprus. Despite being authorized by Greece, Turkish warships warned the ship that it had entered waters claimed by Turkey as part of its continental shelf. By Wednesday, the Ievoli Relume had completed its research and departed for Iraklio, Crete, following diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.
