Europe shouldn't be turned in to a 'Greek theater,' says ruling party spokesperson

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As the tension mounts between Ankara and Athens over Turkey's drilling activities in the eastern Mediterranean, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Spokesperson Ömer Çelik has said that the European Union (EU) shouldn't allow Greece's "aggressive policies."

After Greece's call for an EU emergency meeting, Çelik said on Twitter that "Greece, as always, called the European Union to a meeting for support for its unfair, unlawful, aggressive policies. The European Union should not allow Greece to turn entire Europe into a 'Greek theatre'." 

CLICK - Erdoğan says Turkey 'won't be confined to its shores,' to continue drilling

Referring to Turkey's suspension of drilling and call for diplomatic efforts in late July, Çelik asserted that Greece acted "hypocritically," by signing a maritime border deal with Egypt, after which Turkey resumed drilling.

"Turkey has taken action to exercise its rights stemming from international law and to resume activities as previously planned. The activities are in the Blue Homeland. There is no issue concerning Greece," Çelik further said. The "Blue Homeland" (Mavi Vatan) is a new doctrine defining the country's claims in the Mediterranean.

In response to Turkey's activities, Greece decided to ask for an extraordinary EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting after a meeting between Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis yesterday (August 11).

Mitsotakis also briefed President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and the heads of the country's other major political parties.

Alexis Tsipras, the main opposition SYRIZA leader and former prime minister, also called for an extraordinary EU summit to be convened to discuss recent developments.

EU calls for "neighborly relations"

In response, European Commission Spokesperson Peter Stano said a decision will be made soon through consultations among the member states.

The latest developments in the Eastern Mediterranean were "extremely worrying" and must be solved through dialogue, he told a press conference yesterday.

"What is needed to be done is to engage in solving all the open issues in line with principles of good neighborly relations, international law, and positive engagement," he said.

He added that Turkey's actions will also be discussed at an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Berlin later this month.

Greece's Foreign Minister also met with US Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt at the ministry building in Athens where the two discussed the latest developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, Dendias wrote on Twitter.

What happened?

As part of its hydrocarbon exploration activities, Turkey announced via Navtex the drillship MTA Oruç Reis' new seismic research activity in the Eastern Mediterranean starting August 10.

The Oruç Reis, along with the ships Ataman and Cengiz Han, will continue seismic activities in the Eastern Mediterranean through August 23.

Last month, after Athens objected to Ankara's seismic survey in an area south of the island of Meis, or Kastellorizo. Turkey subsequently announced that it suspended the drilling activities after diplomatic efforts by Germany.

Following Greece's move last week to sign a maritime delimitation agreement with Egypt, Turkey decided to resume drilling. (EKN/VK)