Middle Eastern countries

The announcement in Ankara on Tuesday that part of the fenced-off ghost town of Varosha in Turkish-occupied Cyprus will be opened for development by Turkish Cypriots was seen in Greece as seriously undermining the recent efforts between the two countries for dialogue.

Marking 46 years since the second phase of Turkey's invasion of Cyprus, the Greek president said that the perennial national goal is to end the occupation of the island's northern part by Turkish troops.

Katerina Sakellaropoulou said that fresh threats and provocations by Ankara "are not going to distract us from our national priorities."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Aug. 14 that Turkey was considering closing its embassy in Abu Dhabi and suspending diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates over its accord to normalize ties with Israel.

Turkey's Foreign Ministry said on Aug. 14 that history and the conscience of the region's people will not forget and never forgive the "hypocritical behavior" of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in agreeing on a deal with Israel.

Israel and the United Arab Emirates announced on Aug. 13 that they will normalize diplomatic ties and forge a broad new relationship, a move that reshapes the order of Middle East politics from the Palestinian issue to the fight against Iran.   

Israel and UAE to establish full diplomatic ties, as Tel Aviv says deal will 'delay' annexation of Palestinian lands.

Israel and the United Arab Emirates have reached an agreement - brokered by the United States - to work towards a "full normalisation of relations", a deal the Palestinians called a "treacherous stab in the back".

Turkey's illegal activities in the Eastern Mediterraenan undermine stability and security and are a threat to all countries in the region, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said during a visit to Israel on Thursday.

Turkey is not chasing unnecessary adventures in the eastern Mediterranean, but its rights and interests, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said, calling on Greece and Greek Cyprus to stop ignoring the rights of Turkey and Turkish Cypriots and return to common sense for a win-win resolution.

Turkey is determined to defend its rights and interests across the "Blue Homeland," including Cyprus, the country's Defense Minister Hulusi Akar was quoted as saying Tuesday in reference to an expansionist vision of Turkish rights and claims in the Eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea.

Cyprus reopened its airports on Tuesday after almost three months of lockdown, hoping its record in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and a pledge of free medical treatment for any Covid-19 cases will lure tourists back to its beaches.