Turkey calls on EU to be 'honest' in dispute with members
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — The Turkish foreign minister on Monday called on the European Union to be an “honest broker” in disputes between Ankara and EU member states France, Greece and Cyprus.
Mevlut Cavusoglu warned that Turkey would be forced to “reciprocate” against any decisions the bloc takes against the country.
In a joint news conference with visiting EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell, Cavusoglu also renewed a call on EU-member France to apologize to Turkey over its depiction of a standoff between ships from the two countries in the Mediterranean Sea that prompted Paris to suspend its involvement in a NATO naval operation.
Borrell arrived in Turkey for talks at a time when tensions with Ankara are running high over a slew of issues, including the standoff with France and Ankara’s disputes with Greece and Cyprus over the exploitation of natural resources in the eastern Mediterranean region.
His visits comes before an EU meeting where the bloc could take up measures against Turkey.
“We want to work with the EU,” Cavusoglu said, but added: “If the EU takes additional decisions against Turkey we will be forced to reciprocate. The situation will become more tense and this will serve no one.”
Cavusoglu said: “Our expectation is for the EU not to be a party to the problem but to be a part of the solution. If it approaches the issues as an honest broker rather than in solidarity (with EU) members in the eastern Mediterranean or on the issue of Cyprus, then it will contribute to a solution.”
He was referring to a disagreement over the drilling for oil and gas in the eastern Mediterranean around Cyprus. Turkey dispatched warship-escorted vessels off Cyprus to drill for gas, insisting that it’s acting to protect its interests and those of...
