Greek FM: Turkey Has Rights to East Med Energy Resources

Greek foreign minister George Katrougalos said on Thursday that Turkey should not be excluded from the energy resources in the eastern Mediterranean during his meeting with his counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in the Turkish resort of Antalya.
Speaking at a joint press conference, Katrougalos said “We know that Turkey has certain rights regarding energy resources in the eastern Mediterranean.” Turkey has rights based on international maritime law and Greece is “aware” of that, he added.
In an earlier interview with Anadolu Agency speaking of Turkey’s role in the energy sector in the East Mediterranean, the Greek minister said “Greece sees Turkey’s inclusion as positive, under its rights provided by international law.”
As he noted, “How could someone exclude from this area Turkey, which has such a long coastline on the Mediterranean Sea? Nobody claims the reverse.”
The two countries can make an example of peaceful coexistence with respect to international law, Katrougalos said at the press conference. He added that the two foreign ministers had decided to move on to a positive agenda.
On his part, Turkish foreign minister Cavusoglu stated that the two countrie must overcome together the challenges they are facing, and take advantage together of the opportunities in the region.
Regarding the issue of Cyprus, Cavusoglu said he and Katrougalos would hold a series of informal meetings to see if a new peace effort for the island is possible.

Building of a positive agenda based on international law and mutual respect at the center of our discussion with @MevlutCavusoglu.Solution of Cypriot issue according to UN Resolutions. The rights of the Greek Muslim minority are fully protected in our Republic. pic.twitter.com/lxLb8ow46m

— George Katrougalos (@gkatr) March 21, 2019