Turkey on Thursday blamed France for escalating tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Associated Press reported.

The accusation of Turkey sounded amid the upcoming meeting of the EU FMs in Berlin to dissuade Greece and Turkey from the looming conflict related to the illegal production of gas by Turkey.

In particular, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar sharply commented on the forthcoming participation of France in joint military drills with Italy, Greece, and Cyprus, saying that Ankara would not be restrained by a demonstration of military force.

“To believe that it would be possible to thwart the Turkish Armed Forces operations with exercises and similar activities is nothing more than a pipe dream,” Akar said in an interview with state-run Anadolu Agency.

Germany has taken up shuttle diplomacy between Athens and Ankara to ease tensions. In turn, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday held separate phone calls with the leaders of Greece and Turkey.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that he maintains constant contact with Greece and Turkey.