Turkey says favors dialogue on sharing natural resources in region

ANKARA - Turkey is primarily in favor of dialogue on every platform to discuss fair sharing of natural resources in the region, Turkish National Security Council said on Thursday.

The council held a meeting following Turkey and Greece recently agreed to resume exploratory talks on the Eastern Mediterranean to defuse the tensions that flared up over the exploration activities by a Turkish vessel in the area.

Turkey will not make concessions in the protection of its rights and interests on the land, sea and air, the council said in a written statement issued after the meeting.

Tensions rose between Turkey and Greece over energy explorations in the Eastern Mediterranean waters in recent weeks.

Greece considers Turkey's natural gas exploration in the region a violation of international law. The Turkish government, on the other hand, believes the waters belong to the Turkish continental shelf.

In August, Turkey dispatched Oruc Reis, a seismic survey vessel, and two auxiliary navy vessels to the disputed region near the Greek island of Meis, also known as Kastellorizo, where Greece claims lies within its continental shelf.

On Sept 13, Greece welcomed the return to Antalya of the Turkish vessel, while expressing the willingness to enter dialogue with Ankara to de-escalate the recent tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.