Turkey accuses five nations of evil alliance
Turkey has accused five nations of conspiracy, stressing that the countries have formed ‘alliance of evil’.
The countries, which include Cyprus, Egypt, France, the United Arab Emirates, and Greece, were accused of denouncing Turkey’s policies in the eastern Mediterranean and Libya.
In a teleconference held by foreign ministers from the five countries, Turkey’s presence in the eastern Mediterranean was discussed.
Turkey has been drilling for potential hydrocarbon deposits in an offshore area in which Cyprus has exclusive economic rights.
However, Turkey claims that the said Cyprus exclusive economic rights are its own on the ground that Turkey does not recognize Cyprus – an ethnically divided nation – as a state.
In what Turkey calls a gesture to ensure protection for its interests and those of Turkish Cypriots to the natural resources in the area, Turkey has dispatched warship-escorted vessels off Cyprus to begin gas drilling in the area.
The five countries denounced what they call Turkey’s “illegally conduct drilling operations in Cyprus’ maritime zones.”
They stressed that it was Turkey’s sixth attempt in less than one year to secure the deal.
They also protested against the Libya’s U.N.-backed government’s signed agreements saying it is a violation of international laws and the U.N. arms embargo in Libya.
While denouncing the deal, the foreign ministers representing the five countries declared, “The Ministers strongly condemned Turkey’s military interference in Libya, and urged Turkey to fully respect the UN arms embargo, and to stop the influx of foreign fighters from Syria to Libya.
These developments constitute a threat to the stability of Libya’s neighbors in Africa as well as in Europe,”
Hami Aksoy who is the Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman strongly condemned the decision of the five countries.
He added that they were set to sacrifice lives of Libyans in the name of democracy.
“They hope for democracy for the reckless aggression of dictators,” he added.
He also said that the countries were only after causing chaos and instability in the eastern Mediterranean.
Turkey in 2018 signed a military cooperation agreement and maritime border delineation deal with the internationally recognized government in Tripoli.
Greece and Cyprus have lobbied against the deal saying that it violates international laws and that it is an infringement on their own rights in the area.
Turkey in contrary claims that the deal grants its economic rights to the vast areas of the east Mediterranean Sea coupled with the right to seek Turkey’s consent before any energy related projects could be embarked on.
“We call on these countries to act in line with common sense, international laws and practices.
“Peace and stability in the region can be established with sincere and genuine dialogue, not through alliances of evil,” said, Turkish Foreign Ministry, Hami Aksoy.
