The new European Administration of Ursula von der Leyen warned Turkey to avoid any actions which threaten good neighborly relations during the new Commission’s first press briefing held in Brussels on Monday.
Eric Mamer, the new EU Commission’s chief spokesperson, and deputy chief spokesperson Dana Spinant noted in response to a question that ”The EU has repeatedly stressed to Turkey that it should respect international law, maintain good relations with its neighboring countries, and avoid any threat or action that could harm good neighborly relations or peaceful settlements.”
The new spokespersons of the von der Leyen administration were asked to comment on the Memorandum of Understanding between Turkey and Libya announced a few days ago, which is a clear and blatant violation of Greece’s sovereign maritime rights in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Mamer noted that the delimitation of the EEZ and the continental shelves in the region ”should be the result of dialogue, and the negotiations should be conducted in good faith, with full respect for international law and always in the context of good neighborly relations.”
Earlier on Monday, Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis warned EU leaders in Madrid that Turkey’s recent actions are also threatening Europe’s energy plans to tackle climate change.
