Turkey criticized the statement of the European Union Mediterranean states, saying that this position is biased and out of touch with reality, Reuters reported.

In the meantime, Ankara declared its openness to talks with Greece without preconditions.

Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said that Greece needed to “unconditionally sit at the negotiating table with Turkey” to achieve dialogue and cooperation in the region.

He added that Athens should withdraw its warships from the area occupied by the Turkish research vessel Oruc Reis to de-escalate tensions.