Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, said he had been disappointed that the European Union had not adopted tougher measures-.
By Arab News
LONDON: Greece on Wednesday blamed Turkey for bringing instability to the Eastern Mediterranean as international pressure on Ankara continued to grow.
Speaking at a regional conference, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, said he had been disappointed that the European Union had not adopted tougher measures last week against Turkey for its energy exploration in disputed waters near Greece.
But he said Europe now addresses Turkey as a “European problem” rather than a country that just has individual disputes with Greece and Cyprus.
“Turkey is being viewed as a destabilizing factor in our region and that says a lot,” Dendias told the Southeast Europe and East Med conference.
The minister praised the US for imposing sanctions this week against Turkey for its purchase of a Russian missile defence system. Despite what many view as its hostile action towards Europe and Washington’s allies in the Middle East, Turkey remains a member of NATO along with the US and Greece.
Tensions between Turkey on one side and Greece and Cyprus on the other have escalated as nations have moved to secure energy resources beneath the Eastern Mediterranean.
Turkey has continued to send an exploratory vessel close to Greek islands despite widespread condemnation.
Dendias said that for talks to start again, Turkey needs to stop its actions that breach international law.
“What we are saying to the Turkish side … is that Turkey should stop the provocations,” the minister said. “We have to allow for a period of time for things to calm down. Then Greece is ready to participate in a meaningful dialogue.”
