Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned that his country would not tolerate “violations of its rights” ahead of a tripartite summit of the leaders of Greece, Cyprus and Israel in Jerusalem on Monday.
A Greek newspaper reported last week that the three countries are considering establishing a joint force in the Eastern Mediterranean in response to Turkey’s military buildup in the region.
“The alliance between Israel, Greece, and Cyprus is an anchor of responsibility, stability, and shared interests in a challenging region,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after welcoming the Greek premier and the Cypriot president in Jerusalem.
“We will continue to work together, consistently and resolutely, to strengthen security, advance economic development, and deepen the ties between our peoples.”
Speaking at a naval ceremony last weekend, President Erdoğan said that Turkey “does not want any tension, crisis or conflict with any country,” while warning, “Turkey will not allow violations of its rights or what belongs to it.”
The country recently expanded its naval power under the “Blue Homeland” (Mavi Vatan) doctrine, challenging maritime boundaries amid strong objections from Greece and Cyprus.
A diplomatic source told The Times of Israel that the Jerusalem summit was intended to show that the relationship between the three countries is “moving to a new stage,” and that this will be highlighted in a joint declaration following the meetings.
The declaration will deal with “energy, security, and most of the economic sectors you can imagine, from tourism to agriculture,” the source added.
Netanyahu privately welcomed both leaders before a tripartite meeting. His office stated that he met Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the president of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, in a private setting, before holding an “expanded meeting including the Foreign and Energy Ministers” and senior officials of the respective countries.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar met with his counterparts, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis and Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, ahead of the meetings with Netanyahu.
In addition, Israeli President Isaac Herzog met with the Mitsotakis and Christodoulides, as well.
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