Turkey open to dialogue with Greece on Mediterranean dispute

Turkey is open to dialogue with Greece to solve disagreements over Mediterranean rights and resources as long as Athens is too, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a news conference with his Algerian counterpart, Çavuşoğlu also accused Greece of engaging in "provocative acts" in the region with the backing of the European Union.
"We would like to renew our call on Greece: Don't take negative steps against Turkey after being provoked or used by others," Çavuşoğlu said. "Don't neglect the international agreements ...You will come out a loser."

"We favor a joint solution that involves sitting around the table to negotiate with all sides in the eastern Mediterranean, for everyone to benefit from the eastern Mediterranean resources in a just manner or for the sharing (of resources) fairly," Çavuşoğlu said.

The NATO allies vehemently disagree over claims to potential hydrocarbon resources in the eastern Mediterranean Sea based on conflicting views on the extent of their continental shelves.

Both sides say they are ready to resolve the dispute through talks, while insisting on upholding their own rights.

"If you are open to solving our existing issues through dialogue, we have always been open (to it)," Çavuşoğlu said.

"Unfortunately, because our calls have not been heeded... we took the necessary steps in the field and at the table," he told a news conference.

The Turkish navy issued an advisory late on Monday saying its Oruç Reis exploration vessel, which has been surveying disputed waters between Crete and Cyprus, would continue working in the area until Sept. 12.