Greek Cypriot administration

Turkish Ambassador to France İsmail Hakkı Musa on March 9 met with French Minister of State for European Affairs Amelie de Montchalin and discussed Turkey's relations with the European Union, the migration crisis and developments in Syria's Idlib province.

State-run Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) has added another drilling vessel to its fleet for $37.5 million, according to a prominent Turkish maritime publication.

Sertao, moored at Port Talbot in Britain for two years, was acquired by TPAO in an auction, Istanbul-based Denizcilik Dergisi (Maritime Magazine) reported on Feb. 8.

Athens and Ankara can resolve their differences to the benefit of both, said Greece's foreign minister on Feb. 3.

"I truly believe that Greece and Turkey can figure things out; it is in both our interests," Nikos Dendias said in an interview with Greek radio station Thema.

Greece, arming 16 out of 23 islands with non-military status, in violation of agreements in the Aegean sea, should act in accordance with international law, Turkey's defense minister has said.

Speaking in his visit to Turkey's missile producer Roketsan on Jan. 23, Hulusi Akar said: "We expect Greece to act according to international law, agreements and good neighborly relations."

Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay said on Jan. 21 that some EU countries are attempting to mediate in Cyprus over natural resources.

"Today, EU countries and prominent countries in the past six months are attempting to assume a mediating role between the sides over the natural resources," Özersay said, speaking at the assembly in Turkish Cyprus.

The United Nations envoy to Cyprus warned on Jan. 20 of "growing skepticism" among the island's population that recent diplomatic efforts between the rival communities will herald a comprehensive peace deal.

Ankara denounced a recent meeting on Jan. 9 held between Greece, France, the Greek Cypriot administration, Egypt and Italy against a recent maritime delimitation deal between Turkey and Libya.

The Eastern Mediterranean natural gas pipeline project, which excludes Turkey, cannot succeed, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Jan. 2.

The Greek Cypriot Administration's cooperation with East Libyan-based commander Khalifa Haftar is unacceptable, the prime minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said on Dec. 29.

Any plan excluding Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean is impossible, and Turkey will not shrink from steps needed to stand with the Libyan government and its people, said Turkey's presidential spokesman on Dec. 24.