Turkey-Greece hold consultative talks in Ankara

The 63rd round of the consultative talks between Turkey and Greece took place in Ankara on Oct. 6 amid recent bilateral tensions between the two neighbors regarding the eastern Mediterranean.

Ahead of the meeting, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar on Oct. 5 urged Greece to keep dialogue channels open in bilateral disputes.

Elaborating on the Greek Nautical Geo ship's attempt to breach Turkey's continental shelf, Akar said, "Unfortunately, our neighbor Greece has persistently attempted to violate the east of Crete and the south-west of Cyprus."

"Necessary measures were taken by our relevant elements. It is our most sincere hope that dialogue channels will stay open with our current interlocutors as well as with our previous interlocutors," he added.

Greece should not be provoked by others against Turkey, Akar said, noting that Turkey has always believed in a peaceful solution in compliance with international law and good neighbor relations.

Akar made the remarks while speaking to the press following a meeting with Georgian Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze and Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov.

Although Turkey favors dialogue and a peaceful solution, it will not allow its rights and those of the Turkish Cypriots to be violated, Akar said, noting that any fait accompli would not be tolerated by Turkey.

Also commenting on recent big-ticket arms purchases by Greece, Akar reiterated that Greece should not allow some countries to provoke it against Turkey, noting that such actions would not benefit Greece.

Turkey has never been a threat to any party, but on the contrary, always has been a credible, strong and efficient ally, Akar concluded.

The Turkish Navy pushed a Greek Cypriot research...