Foreign Minister: We will continue to defend our rights in the Eastern Mediterranean

 Photo: Mike Pompeo/Twitter

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Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed the Eastern Mediterranean issue in the Dominician Republic, both ministers stated on Twitter.

"Discussed our bilateral relations and important issues such as the Eastern Mediterranean, Libya and Syria with Secretary of State the USA," Çavuşoğlu said. "[We] will continue to defend the rights of Turkey and Turkish Cypriots against the provocative steps of the Greek and Greek Cypriot side."

It was a "timely conversation to reduce tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean," according to Pompeo.

Timely conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister @MevlutCavusoglu in Santo Domingo today on the urgent need to reduce tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. pic.twitter.com/pAl0BHPOtz

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) August 16, 2020

Following the meeting, Çavuşoğlu told reporters that Turkey's oil and gas exploration activities in the Eastern Mediterranean are in line with the international law.

He explained Turkey's stance in the Eastern Mediterranean issue, what is happening there and Turkey's "constructive approach" to Pompeo, said the minister.

"We explained Turkey's stance, just cause and continental shelf. Greece is always making a black propaganda, but what we are doing is inline with international law," he said, adding that Turkey has always favored dialogue.

Speaking to the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), the minister criticized US presidential candidate Joe Biden for his remarks in January on "changing the government through elections by supporting the opposition in Turkey."

"Only the Turkish nation, not someone from the US or other country, can decide to change its government and president," Çavuşoğlu said.

He said it was "strange" that a person who has been nominated to lead the US made such "ignorant comments" on Turkey, and that he doesn't know the truth about his own country.

In a video clip that went viral, presumptive US Democratic nominee Biden said: "We can support those elements of the Turkish leadership that still exist and get more from them and embolden them to be able to take on and defeat Erdogan. Not by a coup, not by a coup, but by the electoral process."

Timely conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister @MevlutÇavuşoğlu in Santo Domingo today on the urgent need to reduce tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. pic.twitter.com/pAl0BHPOtz

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) August 16, 2020

Referring to Biden's "not by a coup" remark, Çavuşoğlu said he understood this to mean: "We tried a coup in the past, it didn't happen. So now let's change tactics and methods."

Biden's remarks – recorded last December but first reported on Saturday – drew condemnation from the entire political spectrum in Turkey, including both the government and opposition.

Çavuşoğlu stressed that Turkish elections are held democratically and transparently, adding that Turkey now has power both in the field and at the negotiating table.

Çavuşoğlu and Pompeo also discussed the situation in Libya, and decided to continue discussions at the expert level.

(PT/VK)