“The EU expects Turkey to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to good neighbourly relations, international agreements, and the peaceful resolution of disputes, and to refrain from threats and actions that harm good neighbourly relations,” stated the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, in response to a question submitted by MEP Manolis Kefalogiannis of New Democracy and the European People’s Party, who also serves as President of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee.
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Kaja Kallas: “Commitment to the United Nations Charter”
“Adherence to the United Nations Charter and refraining from unilateral actions that violate international law and the sovereignty and sovereign rights of member states remain of fundamental importance. They are essential for ensuring a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and for developing a mutually beneficial cooperative relationship between the EU and Turkey,” Kallas emphasised.
It is worth recalling that MEP Kefalogiannis had submitted a question to the European Commission in response to statements made by the Turkish Minister of Defence, who declared that “Turkey’s rights and interests in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean are grounded in historical, legal, and legitimate foundations. It must be made clear that we will never remain indifferent to any attempt targeting the sovereign rights, security, legal rights, and interests in our seas.” In his question, Kefalogiannis called for the condemnation of statements directed against the sovereign rights of EU member states.
What Kaja Kallas stated
According to the official statement, the High Representative underlined: “The EU stands collectively, firmly, and unequivocally alongside all member states in the face of any threat, and remains committed to defending its own interests and those of its member states, as well as to upholding regional stability and respect for international law.
As highlighted in the Turkey Progress Report recently adopted by the European Parliament’s plenary session, Greece has the inherent and unilateral right to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles in accordance with Article 3 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) — a matter that continues to affect relations between the two countries. In this context, the 1995 declaration by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, stating that any Greek move to extend its territorial waters would be considered a cause for war (casus belli), remains in force.
The EU expects Turkey to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to good neighbourly relations, international agreements, and the peaceful resolution of disputes, and to refrain from threats and actions that harm good neighbourly relations.
Adherence to the United Nations Charter and refraining from unilateral actions that violate international law and the sovereignty and sovereign rights of member states remain of fundamental importance and are essential for ensuring a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and for developing a mutually beneficial cooperative relationship between the EU and Turkey.”
