Ankara lashes out at southern EU nations on drilling bid off Cyprus
Turkey on Saturday criticized southern European Union nations for urging the EU to consider action against Turkey over its bid to drill for gas in waters where Cyprus has exclusive economic rights. The Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement that a declaration issued by the leaders of France, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Spain and Malta shows the EU cannot be a "neutral and trusted actor" to resolve the dispute over divided Cyprus.
- World
- Anadolu Agency
- Published Date: 03:07 | 15 June 2019
- Modified Date: 04:28 | 15 June 2019
Turkey on Saturday rejected an EU summit's declaration on the issues of the Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean, and Cyprus, calling it "against international law."
The joint declaration from Friday's South EU summit in Malta reflects the national positions of Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration, which do not comply with UN principles on solving the Cyprus issue or the rules of international law, said a Turkish Foreign Ministry statement.
"For us, it lacks any value, force, or effect," the ministry said.
It said the declaration is yet another example of how Greece and the Greek Cypriots abuse their EU membership and some EU countries have become instruments for that.
The ministry added that it also shows once again that the EU and EU countries cannot be impartial, trustworthy actors in solving the Cyprus issue.
The 6th South EU Summit was held in Malta on Friday with the participation of France, Italy, Spain, Malta, Portugal, Greece, and the Greek Cypriot administration.
- Texas education board rejects request to open FETÖ schools
- Ottoman-era mosque in Bulgaria opens after renovation
- Erdoğan warns local, global issues sow world disorder
- Asia Cooperation Forum members call for sustainable security, development in the region
- Iran, EU officials meet on nuclear deal amid tensions