The efforts of German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas to act as a mediator between Athens and Ankara did not seem to fear fruit as his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu continued his threats against Greece.
The two foreign ministers met in Ankara on Tuesday, with Cavusoglu stating that Greece is responsible for the tension in the Eastern Mediterranean and that Turkey simply protects its rights.
Addressing Greece, Cavusoglu said:”You have to understand that you will not get anywhere without the full support of the EU. If you continue to make statements about defending your rights and continue the military exercises, next time we will not have an accident. We will not hesitate to do what is necessary.”
The Turkish foreign minister also said that Greece endangers itself by playing the role of bait for some countries.
Cavusoglu insisted that Turkey wants dialogue between the two countries but it is Greece that avoids dialogue and needs “to abandon its maximalist approach” in the region.
Prior to the arrival of Maas in Ankara, Turkish media accused Germany of siding with Greece, deeming it not trustworthy as a mediator.
For his part, the German foreign minister stated that, “I hear from all sides that they are ready for dialogue and that is why we consider it feasible.” He also said that tension in the Eastern Mediterranean is not good for Greece and Turkey, nor for the EU as a whole.
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