The Oruc Reis vessel is accompanied by a naval convey as it searches for oil and gas in the contested region of the Mediterranean
Reuters: Erdogan says Turkey 'will not back down' in east Med standoff
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday Turkey will not back down to threats of sanctions nor to incursions on its claimed territory in the Mediterranean Sea, where it is in a standoff with EU-member Greece over oil and gas exploration rights.
European Union foreign ministers on Friday said Ankara’s actions were antagonistic and dangerous after a meeting requested by Athens.
Tensions between NATO members Greece and Turkey have risen in the past week after Turkey sent the Oruc Reis survey vessel, escorted by warships, to map out possible oil and gas drilling in territory over which both countries claim jurisdiction.
“We will never bow to banditry on our continental shelf. We will not back down against the language of sanctions and threats,” Erdogan said in the northeastern city of Rize.
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WNU Editor: I agree .... Erdoğan is both a bully and a menace. Europe ignores him at its peril (Simon Tisdall, The Guardian).
More News On Turkish President Erdogan Saying Turkey 'Will Not Back Down' In East Mediterranean Standoff
Erdogan: Turkey 'won't back down' in Mediterranean drilling row -- DW
‘We won’t allow banditry on our continental shelf’: Erdogan says Turkey won’t back down amid Mediterranean standoff -- RT
Mediterranean crisis: Turkey warns Greece, slams 'bully' France -- Al Jazeera
Erdogan says any attack on Turkish ship in Mediterranean dispute will exact 'high price' -- Reuters
Turkish President Erdogan threatens a 'heavy price' to attackers of country's oil vessel Oruc Reis as France sends its navy into the eastern Mediterranean in support of Greece -- Daily Mail
