DM Monitoring
ANKARA: “Turkey is one of the most important allies of the European Union for geopolitics, trade and politics. The refugee crisis that happened a couple years ago has reminded how important Turkey is for the EU and that this problem can’t be solved without it,” a Hungarian deputy of the European Parliament (EP), Marton Gyöngyösi, said.
“Same with the crises in the Middle East and North Africa. It is much harder to find solutions without Turkey; this is clear,” he added.
Answering Anadolu Agency’s questions, the Jobbik party lawmaker, who is also a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, underlined that Turkey-EU relations can be developed. “We should focus on areas that will ease, facilitate and develop the relations. In the current circumstances, developments in the Eastern Mediterranean are straining the relations. Something needs to be done about this, quick,” he said.
Turkey, which has the longest continental coastline in the Eastern Mediterranean, has rejected maritime boundary claims by Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration in the region and stressed that these excessive claims violate the sovereign rights of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots. Ankara has sent several drillships and seismic research vessels in recent months to explore hydrocarbon energy on its continental shelf, asserting its rights in the region, as well as those of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Turkish leaders have repeatedly stressed that Ankara is in favor of resolving outstanding problems in the region through international law, good neighborly relations, dialogue and negotiation.
Saying that there can be a solution inclusive of the international community for the Eastern Mediterranean tensions, the Hungarian lawmaker also stated that the Cyprus issue needs to be resolved. “The divided Cyprus is the cause of Eastern Mediterranean issues. If the Cyprus issue is resolved, more complex issues such as maritime boundaries and sharing of energy sources can be resolved too,” he said.
Gyöngyösi also emphasized that the disagreements between Turkey and the EU should not turn into an ideological struggle.
