NATO on Thursday (October 22nd) condemned the escalation of tensions between Turkey and Greece in the eastern Mediterranean and called on the two Alliance member countries to respect international law to resolve their differences during a meeting of ministers of la Défense in Brussels.
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"
We all agree that tensions must be resolved on the basis of international law and solidarity among the Allies,
" Alliance Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a day one report. a meeting of Alliance Defense Ministers organized by videoconference.
"
And we all recognize the importance of avoiding words and actions that can escalate tensions,
" he added.
Turkey returned a gas exploration vessel on October 12 to an area disputed by the two countries between the Greek islands of Rhodes and Kastellorizo.
The Turkish ship sent to this area in August was withdrawn shortly before a European summit in early October, then returned shortly after with the same mission.
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Greece accuses Turkey of violating international maritime law by prospecting in its waters and calls for European sanctions against Ankara.
Turkey maintains that it has the right to conduct energy research in this area of the eastern Mediterranean, arguing that the presence of the small Greek island of Kastellorizo near its coast is not enough to impose sovereignty over Athens.
NATO members Greece and Turkey have agreed to establish a direct line in order to avoid the risks of accidents and incidents at sea and in the air and to contribute to the settlement of disputes between the two countries.
“
We are currently examining how we can extend and strengthen this mechanism,
” explained Jens Stoltenberg.
But the differences must be settled "
at the political level
", he insisted.
The NATO Secretary General has repeatedly emphasized the mediation efforts led by Germany and refused to condemn Turkey, "
a precious ally of the Alliance
".
