Turkey expects NATO to support its rights in E. Mediterranean, Erdogan says

Ankara expects NATO to support its rights in the eastern Mediterranean, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday. The United States and European Union earlier voiced concerns over Turkey’s plans for offshore drilling in an area claimed by Cyprus as its exclusive economic zone.

Speaking at NATO’s North Atlantic Council Mediterranean Dialogue Meeting in Ankara, Erdogan also said that Turkey rejected arguments claiming its deal to purchase Russian S-400 defense systems meant Ankara was looking for alternatives in its international ties, Reuters reported.

Washington is deeply concerned by Turkey’s announced intentions to begin offshore drilling operations in an area claimed by the Republic of Cyprus as its exclusive economic zone, US State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said on Sunday.