Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis speaks to the press in the Summit and Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the South East European Cooperation Process in Sofia. [AMNA]
Turkey has intensified its criticism of Cyprus and France over a recent bilateral defense agreement, while signaling that a proposed Turkish bill on maritime zones may be delayed beyond October, according to information reaching Athens.
The issue was discussed extensively during a recent meeting between Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan. Fidan said the contents of the draft legislation have been overstated in public debate. The Turkish government reportedly did not want details of the bill leaked and does not consider it a priority.
Instead, Turkish officials identified the Republic of Cyprus as their main concern, arguing that it is gradually becoming a “protectorate” of Israel.
That position was reflected in a statement issued Thursday by Turkey’s Defense Ministry, which criticized the permanent presence of French forces in Cyprus under the recent Nicosia-Paris agreement and also objected to cooperation between Cyprus and Israel.
