Turkey: Maritime deal with Libya 'red line' for Ankara

The maritime agreement between Turkey and Libya is Ankara's "red line" in the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said Wednesday. 

Oktay warned that "no one can question" the deal "especially France," during a webinar with the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA) think-thank in Washington. 

The landmark deal signed last November lays out maritime boundaries between the two countries to establish an exclusive economic zone. 

Regarding the US' decision to lift an embargo on Greek Cyprus, Oktay said it “poisons the regional peace and stability environment.” 

Washington said Tuesday it is partially lifting an arms embargo on Greek Cypriots. The announcement received immediate condemnation from Turkey because it "ignores the equality and balance between the two peoples on the island."

Turkey surveys only on its continental shelf

On Ankara's seismic survey in an area south of Meis Island, or Kastellorizo, the vice president emphasized that Turkey is doing work only on its continental shelf.

He noted that Greece cannot question Turkey, which has the longest coastline in the region and the continental shelf is "4,000 times bigger" than the island. "Would you expect Turkey to accept it?," he stressed.

Oktay said the island was supposed to be demilitarized based on agreements because it is so close to Turkey but is now militarized. "That is directly concern of Turkey," said Oktay.

After Athens objected to Ankara's seismic survey in the area in July, German diplomatic efforts helped defuse tensions between Turkey and Greece. 

But Greece's controversial move to sign a maritime delimitation agreement with Egypt, which Turkey says violates its continental shelf and maritime rights, has sparked further tensions between the two neighbors with Ankara accusing Athens of pursuing maximalist policies in the Eastern Mediterranean. 

Deteriorating defense ties with US 'great concern'

The relationship and close cooperation with the US have become "more important" recently as "challenges are more asymmetric, unpredictable and multi-faceted than ever," Oktay said. 

"This is why the deteriorating bilateral defense cooperation environment is of great concern," he said, referring to ties between two countries regarding Turkey's purchase of a Russian air defense system.

"In the face of clear and present ballistic threats, emanating from our immediate neighborhood, Turkey made the sovereign decision to procure S-400 systems in the unfortunate absence of other alternatives from our allies including the U.S." the vice president reiterated.

"This impasse is also the direct result of the failure of certain political circles in Washington to grasp the full extent of our strategic alliance and Turkey’s contributions to regional and global stability," Oktay said, accusing US Congress members of pursuing "deliberate efforts to damage our bilateral relations by prioritizing personal short-time political interests."

"This behavior manifests itself in the unfounded calls for sanctions against Turkey, as well as in blocking deals which are bound to improve the Turkish-US defense cooperation," he said.

Oktay underlined that once the negativity surrounding the rhetoric about Turkey is abandoned, he has no doubt bilateral relations will begin to heal. When asked about the upcoming US elections, Oktay said Turkey will do its best to constructively work with whomever is elected US president Nov. 3.