No compromise in Med rights despite threat sanctions: Turkish Foreign Ministry

Turkey has vowed no compromise on its sovereign rights in the Aegean and Mediterranean seas in the ongoing dispute with Greece and Greek Cyprus, days before EU leaders are set to meet to discuss possible sanctions on Ankara because of its unilateral hydrocarbon activities in the disputed waters, Hurriyet Daily News reports.

“Greece, as the spoiled child of Europe, aims to provoke EU sanctions on Turkey based on its maximalist and illegitimate maritime boundary and airspace claims. No sanctions will ever make Turkey compromise its sovereign rights be in Meis/Kastellorizo or 10 [nautical mile] nm airspace,” read a Twitter message posted by the Foreign Ministry in response to Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias’ article on Turkey.

The Greek foreign minister strongly criticized Turkey as a clear threat to the security of Europe and insisted that its actions should not be left without consequences by the European Council slated to meet on Dec 10 and 11.

The message issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry renewed Turkey’s call on Greece to return to the table to discuss the differences, saying, “Greece should engage in unconditional dialogue with Turkey, sooner rather than later.”