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The remarks came as tensions between NATO allies escalated over a dispute in the eastern Mediterranean. Erdogan also said that Macron targeted him.
“Don’t mess with Turks. Don’t mess with Turkey, “Erdogan warned in a televised address in Istanbul on the 40th anniversary of the 1980 military coup. TRT World, Sunday (13/9/2020).
Erdogan also urged Yunai not to misbehave in the disputed waters despite being supported by countries such as France, after Athens and Ankara’s naval exercises in the region last month saw Paris increase its military presence in the region.
Macron recently criticized Ankara during the stalemate between Greece and Cyprus on the one hand and Turkey on the other for hydrocarbon resources and naval influence in the eastern Mediterranean.(Read: Turkey finds gas in the Black Sea in huge quantities)
“Europe must be clear and resolute with, not Turkey as a nation and people, but with President Erdogan’s government which has taken unacceptable actions,” Macron said at the time.
The French leader spoke before a summit of the European Union’s seven Mediterranean nations threatening Turkey with sanctions for its activities.(Read: Defend Greece, the European Union is ready to gang up on Turkey with sanctions)
But Erdogan on Saturday rejected the statement and accused Macron of lacking historical knowledge.
“Mr. Macron, you will have more problems with me,” Erdogan threatened.
It was his first comment to directly target the French leader after choosing to remain silent during the latest row.
He later said France could not teach Turkey any humanitarian lessons, and told Macron to look first at France’s own records, especially in Algeria and its role in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The latest tensions started after Turkey deployed the research ship and warship Oruc Reis into disputed waters on August 10 and extended the mission three times.
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