Turkey keeps calm despite Greece’s provocation: Erdogan

ANKARA

Turkey keeps prudent and calm attitude despite Greece’s provocations and rising tension in the region, the Turkish president said on Wednesday.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s remarks came during a phone conversation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg about the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and the relationship between Turkey and NATO.

Erdogan said the course of exploratory talks would depend on the sincere steps to be taken by Greece in an effort to ease the tension.

He said Turkey is in favor of dialogue and reducing tension in the Eastern Mediterranean and his country has made it clear not only by rhetoric but by its actions.

Stoltenberg said on Twitter: “Spoke with President @RTErdogan about the situation in the #EastMed and the ongoing efforts @NATO for military de-confliction to avoid incidents & accidents,” said about the conversation on Twitter.

“Both Turkey and Greece are valued Allies and #NATO is a platform for dialogue,” he added.

Greece, with France's support, has disputed Turkey's energy exploration, trying to box in Turkish maritime territory based on small islands near the Turkish coast.

Turkey, the country with the longest coastline on the Mediterranean, has sent drill ships with a military escort to explore for energy on its continental shelf, saying Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus have rights in the region.

To reduce tensions, Ankara has called for dialogue to ensure fair sharing of the region's resources.

*Writing by Havva Kara Aydin and Ali Murat Alhas