Greek Cypriot administration

Turkey urges Greece 'to act in responsible manner'

Turkey on Dec. 26 urged Greece to act in common sense and responsible manner, responding to a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) recently issued by Greece for a vast area in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean. 

"We see that Greece continues her provocative and escalatory steps in the region," Hami Aksoy, the Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said in a statement.

Varosha town ‘open area’: President of Turkish Cypriots

President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on Dec. 25 said the town of Varosha, once a long closed-off area, could now be viewed as an open region.

Ersin Tatar, speaking during his visit to the Bayrak Radio Television Corporation's 57th foundation anniversary, said the organization contributed to the will of Turkish Cypriots.

Turkey to continue exploration in east Med until June 15

Turkey has issued another navigational telex, or Navtex, for the area in the Eastern Mediterranean where it will conduct seismic research activities. 

According to Dec. 22's announcement, the mission, which will be carried out by the Oruç Reis seismic research vessel, will continue until June 15, 2021.

EU sanctions won't change Turkey's position in east Med: FM

No sanctions coming from the EU will change Turkey's positions on its rights in the Eastern Mediterranean, the country's foreign minister said on Dec. 14. 

"It is not possible to give up our rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean just because sanctions will come or because the EU will criticize us," Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu told lawmakers during 2021 budget debates in parliament.

EU must discard pressure from Greece, Greek Cypriots, says Erdoğan

The EU must discard the pressure it is facing from Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration, Turkey's president said on Dec. 12.

It is extremely wrong for Turkey's relations with the EU to be captive to the tricks of one or two states, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in a video link address at the opening ceremony of the Manisa-Akhisar Highway in western Turkey.

'The door to diplomacy and negotiations is open': Op-ed by Turkish defense minister

The decades-long disputes in the Aegean and the Mediterranean Seas remain unresolved. And this year, while the whole world is grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic, these disputes once again became sources of contention between Turkey and Greece. Nevertheless, Turkey's door to diplomacy and dialogue also remains open.

EU sanctions threat disappointing: Presidential spokesperson

A draft EU summit statement about potential sanctions on Turkey is "disappointing," presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalın said on Dec. 9. 

Speaking during a German Marshall Fund virtual think tank event, Kalın said he has reviewed the document and hoped EU leaders would "avoid that language of sanctions and threats against Turkey, because sanctions will never work."

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