President Erdoğan: Turkey will not renege on its steps in Syria and on its agreement with Libya

 

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a speech at a ceremony at Gölcük Naval Shipyard Command in Kocaeli for the docking of the first Reis-class submarine, the “Pirireis,” and for the first welding of the fifth submarine, the “Seydialireis.”

Noting that the “Pirireis” will enter into service in 2022, President Erdoğan said that all six submarines will be completed by 2027.

“WE CANNOT ALLOW A FAIT ACCOMPLI AGAINST OUR COUNTRY”

Drawing attention to foreign efforts to restrict and immobilize Turkey in the Mediterranean, President Erdoğan said: “Turkey has the power, will and means to protect its rights and interests against such insidious or overt attacks. Our country’s agreements with the TRNC and Libya are in accordance with the international law, the UN conventions and similar examples in other places.”

Underscoring that Turkey, which has the longest shoreline in the Mediterranean, cannot accept being excluded from the exploration and operation of offshore hydrocarbon resources, President Erdoğan said: “We cannot allow a fait accompli against our country through maps drawn at the table or under the guise of scientific activities and environmental concerns. We have taken no steps contrary to established practices in continental shelf, exclusive economic zone or maritime jurisdiction areas.”

“No aspect of the Memorandum of Understanding between Turkey and Libya on Delimitation of the Maritime Jurisdiction Areas in the Mediterranean contradicts the international law,” President Erdoğan underlined. Highlighting that it is not a newly-emerged effort, President Erdoğan noted that Turkey and Libya took the first steps concerning the issue 10 years ago.

“We will fulfill all requirements of the agreement,” President Erdoğan said. “Turkey will by no means renege on its steps in Syria and on its agreement with Libya. We are well aware of the reason behind the intensifying efforts to overthrow the legitimate Libyan Government. We recently have provided very serious support to the legitimate Libyan Government. We will, if need be, increase the military aspect of these supports and assess all means on land, at sea and in the air.”