Turkey insists on involvement in Eastern Mediterranean alongside Turkish Cyprus

The Foreign Ministry in Ankara insisted on Tuesday that no initiative in the Eastern Mediterranean that excludes Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will succeed.

“The declaration published after the trilateral summit held on 19 October with the participation of the leaders of Greece, Egypt, and the Greek Cypriot Administration, is a new manifestation of the hostile policies of the Greek/Greek Cypriot duo towards Turkey and the TRNC,” said the ministry.

“The participation of Egypt in this declaration on the other hand is an indication that Egypt has not yet grasped the real address that it can cooperate within the Eastern Mediterranean. We have proven to friends and foes alike that no initiative excluding Turkey and the TRNC will succeed in the region.”

The ministry reiterated Turkey’s support for energy projects that will enhance cooperation among the countries in the region. “However, these projects should not ignore the rights and interests of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots. They should be inclusive.”

READ: ‘Northern Cyprus following path in Eastern Med hand-in-hand with Turkey’