Turkey accuses France, UAE, Egypt, Greece and Cyprus of being 'alliance of evil forces'

Turkey on Tuesday accused the five countries of being "forces of evil" following criticism from France, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Greece and Cyprus over Ankara's policies in the Eastern Mediterranean and Libya.

"These five countries want to spread chaos and instability in the Eastern Mediterranean and to sacrifice the hopes of establishing democracy in Libya to indifferent and aggressive dictators," said Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy. Want'.

The foreign ministers of the five countries called a telephone conference on Monday to discuss the situation in the eastern Mediterranean, where Turkey is drilling for oil and gas at the bottom of the sea, part of Cyprus's economy. Comes within limits. The conference also considered the situation in Libya.

Last year, Turkey signed an agreement with Libya's internationally recognized government on military cooperation and demarcation of maritime borders.

Turkey says it has acquired non-economic rights in the vast eastern waters of the Eastern Mediterranean under the agreement and that no energy project can be carried out without its approval.

Greece and Cyprus protested the agreement, saying it violated international law and affected their rights in the territorial waters.

The five countries have said it is Turkey's sixth illegal mining attempt in Cyprus' economic waters within a year. Turkey does not recognize Cyprus as a state divided on linguistic grounds and considers all its maritime boundaries as Turkish maritime boundaries.

Turkey has sent its naval warships with oil and gas exploration ships in the Eastern Mediterranean and insists it is protecting its and Turkish Cyprus' interests in the natural resources found in these seas.

Cyprus was divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded Cyprus after a revolt by supporters of keeping it united.

In a joint statement, the ministers of the five countries condemned Turkey's intervention in Libya and called on Turkey to abide by international sanctions on the supply of arms to Libya. It also called for an end to the sending of foreign fighters from Syria to Libya.

The five countries declared the measures a threat to Libya's neighbors in North Africa and to the stability of Europe.

In response, the Turkish Foreign Ministry accused Greece and Cyprus of refraining from negotiating with Turkey and said Egypt was failing to protect the interests of its people.

Criticizing the UAE, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said it had joined the coalition in opposition to Turkey, while France said it was illegally sponsoring the coalition.

"We urge all countries to act prudently and adhere to international law and practice," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman added that peace and stability in the region could only be ensured through dialogue, not through "unity of the forces of evil".

The Cyprus conflict

1955 - Cypriots wage a guerrilla war against the British government to annex Greece.

1960 - After independence from Britain, power is divided between the Greek Cypriot majority and the Turkish Cypriot minority.

1963 and 1964 - Sectarian riots erupt

1974 - Cypriot President Archbishop Macrius is overthrown by Greek troops. Turkey sent troops into Cyprus, capturing three-quarters of its northern territory.

1983 - Rauf Dinktash separates Northern Cyprus from the Turkish Republic, which is recognized only by Turkey.

2004 - Divided Cyprus joins the European Union following a UN peace treaty proposed by Turkish Cypriots, but is rejected by Greek Cypriots.