Turkey's US envoy slams WSJ editorial board's op-ed

WASHINGTON- Anadolu Agency

Turkey's U.S. envoy on Sept. 25 disputed allegations by the Wall Street Journal's editorial board that Turkey and Greece could go to war because of a maritime dispute.  

Serdar Kılıç said the narrative of the Sept. 10 article, "Showdown in the Mediterranean," is covered with excruciating oversimplification and "the truth is far more complicated."

"Turkey is not the aggressor here, but the one constantly struggling against those who aim to disregard and undermine her natural rights," Kılıç wrote in an opinion piece in the newspaper, adding that Greece and Greek Cyprus's actions in the Eastern Mediterranean should be taken into due account.

He accused the two sides of declaring exclusive economic zones, issuing drilling licenses, attempting to seize revenue or forming multilateral initiatives in total disregard for Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots' rights have led to prevailing tensions.

"Attempts toward excluding Turkey, which has the longest coastline in the region, are ill-advised and unacceptable," said Kılıç and he vowed Turkey will firmly defend her legitimate sovereign rights in the region.

The newspaper’s editorial board said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s confrontation with Greece because of maritime claims could be resolved through diplomacy.

"The question is whether Mr. Erdogan wants to negotiate or simply assert Turkish power," the board said. "Military conflict between Greece and Turkey remains an unlikely but real possibility."

Kılıç said Turkey is not infringing on anyone else’s share and will not let anyone infringe on her legitimate fair share.

"Regional peace and stability necessitate the international community (and the U.S.) to act impartially," he said.