Turkey-Greece tensions, Erdogan's Trump speak on phone

Turkey's President, Recep Tayip Erdoğan, in a telephone conversation discussed bilateral relations and regional developments with US counterpart Donald Trump, especially developments concerning the Eastern Mediterranean,

Turkey's Communications Directorate announced that President Erdoğan reminded Trump that Turkey is not a party that creates instability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

He stressed that Turkey confirmed with <x0 concrete action” that it wants to reduce tensions and establish dialogue on the issue.

Greece has rejected Turkey's current energy exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean, trying to hit Turkish sea territory based on small islands off the Turkish coast, the Anadolu Agency broadcasts.

Turkey, the country with the longest coastline in the Mediterranean, has sent drilling ships to explore energy in its continental division, stressing that Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) have rights in the region.

Turkish officials say dialogue on the right division of these resources will be profitable for all sides.

White House Media Secretary Jude Deere also spoke of Trump's call to Erdoğan.

President Trump reaffirmed that Greece and Turkey should engage in dialogue, which is the only way to resolve differences between them. The two leaders also discussed important bilateral and regional issues”, he wrote on social networks.

In addition, Deere also said Trump had telephone conversations with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and discussed bilateral and regional issues.

He said Trump “voiced concern” for increasing tensions between NATO allies in the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey and Greece.