EU: Turkey’s actions increase tension in eastern Mediterranean

SANAA, Nov. 5 (YPA) – The European Union (EU) said Turkey’s moves in the eastern Mediterranean “increase tension and mistrust” in the region, stressing the need to refrain from unilateral actions and engage in a “good faith” dialogue.
” The latest Navtex announcements and the continued conduct of seismic survey activities by Turkey, which is affecting Greek and Cypriot maritime zones, are deeply regrettable — especially in view of ongoing constructive attempts at all levels to create space for dialogue,” the spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement on Wednesday.

This is yet another course of action that, unfortunately, continues to create more tensions and distrust in the region instead of contributing to lasting solutions,” the statement said.

It called for “dialogue in good faith and abstention from unilateral actions” to defuse a tense situation in the east Mediterranean that is undermining EU-Turkey relations.

For months, the Eastern Mediterranean region has been experiencing severe tension over Turkey’s implementation of exploration of energy resources in waters that Cyprus and Greece consider to be their stake, while the European Union has repeatedly expressed support for their position, criticizing Turkey’s “illegal” actions and threatening Ankara with sanctions.

E.M