Statement of the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Hami Aksoy, in Response to a Question Regarding the Meeting to Transform the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum into an International Organization

The member countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum gathered in Cairo on 16 January 2020 in order to transform the forum into an international organization by signing a foundation charter.

This forum is in fact an unrealistic initiative launched by some countries with political motives, under illusions of excluding Turkey from energy equation in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Had the purpose of the forum indeed been cooperation, surely Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots would have been invited to the forum. Such initiatives launched against Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots will never contribute to peace and cooperation in the region. Any initiative not involving Turkey and Turkish Cypriots in the Eastern Mediterranean will not succeed either.

Consequently, this initiative constitutes further proof that countries which have left our calls for dialogue and cooperation unanswered, are still pursuing vain hopes. It also demonstrates the rightfulness of our policies in the region.

We will resolutely continue to protect the legitimate rights and interests of both Turkey and TRNC in the Eastern Mediterranean.