French President Emmanuel Macron, stressed France’s solidarity with Greece against Turkey’s oil exploration operations in the eastern Mediterranean.
“Turkey must stop unilateral oil exploration,” President Macron said.
In a statement on Wednesday evening, the Elysee Palace said that France would temporarily strengthen its military presence in the eastern Mediterranean. This is in cooperation with its European partners, including Greece, according to the Al Arabiya news channel.
On Tuesday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, said that Ankara will issue further drilling licences this month. Greece said it would seek an emergency EU meeting to address the issue.
“Greece will defend its sovereignty, and its rights. We are calling on Turkey to immediately leave the Greek continental shelf”, said Nikos Dendias, the Greek Foreign Minister.