EU calls on Ankara to stop drilling in Mediterranean immediately

On Sunday, European Union Foreign Minister Josep Borrell called on Ankara to "immediately" halt its activities to explore for gas in the Mediterranean, after Turkey announced the expansion of these operations.

16 August, 2020 16:34

News Desk

"What Ankara has announced is unfortunately fueling tension and insecurity," the European official said in a statement published by his office.

Borrell added that, against the backdrop of tension in the eastern Mediterranean, "this declaration contributes to undermining efforts to resume dialogue and negotiations,". It will not contribute to reducing tension, which "is the only path towards stability and durable solutions, as the foreign ministers affirmed on Friday" during a video conference of foreign ministers Europeans.

The European Union Foreign Minister called on the Turkish authorities to immediately stop their activities and launch a dialogue in good faith with the European Union.

On Sunday, Turkey announced that it would expand its operations to explore gas fields in a disputed area in the eastern Mediterranean, in defiance of European Union calls for a reduction in tension.

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ANHA