Turkey Warns of Encirclement in Eastern Mediterranean, Says Military May Act if Diplomacy Fails

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan Credit: Kremlin.ru Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has warned that alliances are forming successful the Eastern Mediterranean, intending to encircle Turkey, adding that if diplomatic means fail, specified issues are yet referred to the military.

Speaking successful an interrogation with Turkey’s authorities broadcaster TRT, Fidan said his ministry is focusing connected respective cardinal areas, including determination security, the Palestinian issue, and vigor cooperation. However, helium highlighted what helium described arsenic “visible and invisible” efforts to isolate Turkey done determination partnerships.

“One of the astir important issues is the disposable and invisible areas from which Turkey is surrounded,” Fidan said. “These disposable areas of encirclement are confederation zones created to Turkey’s detriment. We are alert of them and are processing diplomatic measures to respond. If you cannot make diplomatic measures connected circumstantial issues, you notation the substance to your subject and information institutions, and past much things happen.”

Turkey’s discontent with the Greece – Cyprus – Israel alliance

The Turkish authoritative did not notation immoderate countries, but it is much than evident that helium referred to the strategical concern that Greece and Cyprus person developed with Israel successful the past respective years.

The Turkish overseas curate stressed that his state prefers to enactment done diplomacy but warned that nonaccomplishment to bash truthful could compel subject involvement. “You indispensable instrumentality the diplomatic steps you tin successful advance,” helium said.

During the aforesaid interview, Fidan besides discussed relations betwixt Ankara and Washington, noting practice betwixt Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Donald Trump, peculiarly regarding the Palestinian contented and the caller Gaza program involving Hamas. “ Mr Trump requested to telephone our president, invoking their friendship,” Fidan said. “He expressed assurance that our president had already offered each imaginable assistance but asked him erstwhile again to amusement his involvement successful this matter.”

According to Fidan, Hamas issued a affirmative effect to Trump’s connection six to 7 hours aft the conversation. He described the practice betwixt the 2 leaders arsenic perchance beneficial for some bilateral and determination stability. “If the 2 leaders spot that their collaboration helps lick problems betwixt the 2 countries and promotes determination peace, this is so a productive relationship,” helium said.

Cyprus refutes Ankara’s claims

Meanwhile, the President of Cyprus responded to Fidan’s comments, stating that the Republic of Cyprus and different determination powers run wrong a “positive framework.”

Speaking to reporters astatine the inauguration of the Chatzigiannio Health Centre successful Akaki, Nikos Christodoulides said, “Any state that respects planetary instrumentality is not excluded. If Mr Fidan wants his state to enactment successful these processes, Turkey indispensable respect planetary instrumentality and proceed to resoluteness the Cyprus contented accordingly. Turkey is excluding itself done its regular behavior.”