Turkish presence in E Med. abides by Int’l law: spox

By Eda Ozdener

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey’s ruling party said on Friday that the country’s drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean basin were completely legal.

"Turkey’s presence in the Eastern Mediterranean is in compliance with every article of international law," Omer Celik said, speaking at a press conference held after the Justice and Development (AK) Party’s central executive board meeting.

Ankara has consistently contested the Greek Cypriot administration’s unilateral drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean, asserting that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as well as Turkey also have rights to the resources in the area.

Since Spring this year, Ankara has sent two drilling vessels -- Fatih and most recently Yavuz -- to the Eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey’s first seismic vessel, the Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa, bought from Norway in 2013, has been conducting exploration in the Mediterranean since April 2017.

Athens and Greek Cypriots have opposed the move, threatening to arrest the ships’ crews and enlisting EU leaders to join their criticism.

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas