BRUSSELS, Sep 22 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The European Commission has asked Turkey to investigate the cases of alleged illegal fishing that Greece has denounced, recalling that the European Union expects a permanent de-escalation in the region to put on the table the renewed cooperation agenda with Ankara.
Speaking to Europa Press, the EU Foreign spokesman, Peter Stano, confirmed that Brussels is focusing its attention on resolving these frictions and for this he has held bilateral meetings with Greek and Turkish representatives.
“The Commission has empathetically invited Turkey to urgently investigate the alleged illegal activities. We will continue to send harsh messages to Turkey in line with the positions taken by the European Council,” the spokesperson said.
The maneuvers of Turkish ships last week have rekindled tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, an area that last year registered an increase in tensions and a militarization that caused the EU to establish an ultimatum to Turkey conditioning the relationship to stability in the region and respect for the sovereignty of Greece and Cyprus.
In this sense, Stano has insisted that the EU leaders established that the de-escalation in the Mediterranean should be sustained over time. “This continues to be the position of the EU, which has a strategic interest in maintaining a safe and stable environment in the Eastern Mediterranean,” he said.
On the particular issue denounced by Athens, the European Executive also works hand in hand with the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean in new measures to improve the culture of compliance with the commitments of conservation and use of water.
COMPLAINT FROM ATHENS
This week, Greece has sent a protest note to the Turkish Government for the illegal fishing carried out by its boats in Greek territorial waters. “Unfortunately, Turkey insists on behaving illegally,” criticized Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias in a statement.
Thus, the Hellenic authorities have assured that “in defense of their rights under International Law, they will not leave any type of challenge unaddressed.” The Greek government’s decision comes after the authorities criticized the “harassment” of Turkish warships in the area near the island of Crete.
Athens has repeatedly accused Ankara of carrying out prospecting and exploration activities for hydrocarbons “illegally” off several of its islands. On the contrary, the Turkish authorities reject the accusations and assure that the waters in which gas is being drilled on an experimental basis belong to their continental shelf.
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