Greek Cypriot administration

Turkey's control and preparation process for the Russian S-400 missile system is continuing as planned, the country's defense minister said on Dec. 9. 

"The S-400 procurement process is being followed by taking into account the political, military, economic and technological dimensions," Hulusi Akar told lawmakers during the 2021 budget debates in parliament.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called on the European Union to "give a chance to diplomacy" on issues relating to the eastern Mediterranean, days ahead of a summit of the block that could impose sanctions on Turkey.

Greece can resolve issues with Turkey only by engaging in dialogue and not by relying on others, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Dec. 6.

"Greece can only resolve its bilateral issues with Turkey by sitting at the table, cooperation, and dialogue, not by relying on others," Hami Aksoy, the ministry spokesman, said in a statement.

Turkey will not compromise its sovereign rights on the island of Meis, or airspace covering 10 nautical miles, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Dec. 5.

"No sanctions will ever make Turkey compromise its sovereign rights be in Meis/Kastellorizo or 10 nm airspace," the ministry said on Twitter in response to Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias' article against Turkey.

A technical meeting between Turkey and Greece on the Eastern Mediterranean could not be held after the Greek side pulled out last minute.

The meeting was scheduled for the end of November at the NATO headquarters.

The first meeting between the delegations was held on Sept. 3 and six meetings have since been held.

Turkey on Dec. 1 reaffirmed its readiness for dialogue with Greece following the return to port of a Turkish research vessel.

The continuation of the cooperation between Turkey and Finland in the U.N. has disappointed Greece, the Greek ambassador to Finland said on Dec. 1. 

Finland and Turkey currently share the chairmanship of the U.N. Group of Friends of Mediation, which was established 11 years ago. The group consists of 52 countries and eight organizations.

Germany on Nov. 30 welcomed the return to port of Turkish research vessel Oruç Reis after completing its energy exploration mission in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Speaking at a virtual conference on Germany's EU presidency, Merkel said relations with Turkey, and recent tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, would be among the major topics of the EU leaders summit on Dec. 10-11.

Turkey on Nov. 27 rejected a "non-binding" resolution by the European Parliament against Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on the Varosha and Cyprus issues.

"We completely reject the non-binding resolution adopted by the MEPs on our country and the TRNC," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy in a statement.

A spokesman for the Turkish foreign ministry criticized Greece's foreign minister on Nov. 24 for adopting an accusing and threatening tone instead of working to solve tensions between Athens and Ankara through dialogue.

"Unfortunately, the constructive attitude and steps taken since August to show good intentions have not been responded," Hami Aksoy said in a statement.