Cairo’s approach benefits both Egypt, Turkey: Defense Minister Akar

Cairo's recent approach in the Eastern Mediterranean benefits both Egypt and Turkey, as well as other countries in the region, the Turkish national defense minister, said on March 12. 

"It is a very valuable and important step for regional peace and stability that Egypt respected Turkey's maritime jurisdiction boundaries reported to the U.N.," Hulusi Akar said at a military ceremony in the southern Adana province.

Last August, Turkey resumed energy exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean after Greece and Egypt signed a controversial maritime delimitation deal, spurning Turkey's goodwill gesture in halting the exploration.

Earlier this month, Akar had said Turkey considers working on agreements with Egypt under the maritime jurisdiction limits that the country declared to the U.N.

Speaking about the U.S.' support to the YPG/PKK terror group, the defense minister said the U.S. should work with Turkey, a NATO member, instead of cooperating with the terror group.

"We do not think it is right for the United States to support the YPG, which is no different from the terrorist organization PKK, under the pretext of fighting Daesh," he said.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK - listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU - has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is its Syrian branch.

Noting that Turkey has made great contributions to Europe's security and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has also voiced this fact, he said: "We are in favor of a peaceful resolution of all problems in our region and in the world. We believe that disputes in the Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean and the Cyprus issue should also...