Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s office said that,
Turkey and Greece are ready to resume talks in a bid to overcome a dispute over maritime boundaries and rights to exploit oil and gas resources. Recep Tayyip Erdogan made this statement during a video conference meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Council President Charles Michel.
The two neighboring NATO members Turkey and Greece, have been locked in a tense standoff over energy exploitation rights in an area between Turkey’s southern coast, several Greek islands, and the war-divided island of Cyprus. The tension increased between both countries when Turkey sent a research vessel into the disputed waters this summer.
After that, the Following mediation efforts were made by Germany, and others and Turkey pulled back the research vessel to port. Both countries eased their naval presence and halted military exercises.
Till now, It was not clear when and how the talks would begin. Erdogan told Merkel and Michel that “steps to be taken by Greece” would determine the course of the talks. The Turkish leader also said he hoped that the next European Union summit would breathe new life into Turkish-EU ties.
