By Hurriyet Daily News
The 63rd round of the consultative talks between Turkey and Greece took place in Ankara on Oct. 6 amid recent bilateral tensions between the two neighbors regarding the eastern Mediterranean.
Ahead of the meeting, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar on Oct. 5 urged Greece to keep dialogue channels open in bilateral disputes.
Elaborating on the Greek Nautical Geo ship’s attempt to breach Turkey’s continental shelf, Akar said, “Unfortunately, our neighbor Greece has persistently attempted to violate the east of Crete and the south-west of Cyprus.”
“Necessary measures were taken by our relevant elements. It is our most sincere hope that dialogue channels will stay open with our current interlocutors as well as with our previous interlocutors,” he added.
Greece should not be provoked by others against Turkey, Akar said, noting that Turkey has always believed in a peaceful solution in compliance with international law and good neighbor relations.
Akar made the remarks while speaking to the press following a meeting with Georgian Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze and Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov.
