Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to defending its maritime rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean, while calling for respect for the joint will of Türkiye and Libya and an end to divisions in the North African country.
Speaking to reporters after a Cabinet meeting in Ankara on Monday, Erdogan said Türkiye was not seeking to outmanoeuvre other countries in the Eastern Mediterranean but was determined to protect its maritime jurisdiction and national interests.
He also stressed that Türkiye’s foreign policy was guided by the country’s interests and said Ankara would not hesitate to take what it considers the right steps, even when doing so comes at a cost.
Erdogan calls for unity and dialogue in Libya
Erdogan said Türkiye believes unity and solidarity are essential to achieving peace, prosperity and security, adding that Ankara was making sustained efforts to reduce disputes and strengthen alliances across the region.
“Türkiye no longer wants to see division or fragmentation in Libya or in any other Muslim land,” he said.
Expressing hope that this aspiration would become reality in Libya, Erdogan said Türkiye would continue engaging in dialogue with all relevant actors to help reduce divisions.
“Türkiye will continue to remain in dialogue with all actors to this end,” he said.
Ankara reaffirms its Eastern Mediterranean position
Erdogan’s remarks also underscored Ankara’s position that its maritime jurisdiction rights and interests must be respected amid regional disputes over maritime boundaries and influence.
Türkiye has repeatedly defended its cooperation with Libya, including agreements concerning maritime jurisdiction, and has opposed efforts it believes would exclude the country from Eastern Mediterranean arrangements.
The president framed Ankara’s approach as one focused on safeguarding national interests while pursuing regional cooperation and diplomacy.
His comments linked Türkiye’s stance on maritime rights with a broader call for dialogue, alliances and greater unity across Libya and the wider Muslim world.
Turning to the upcoming 13th summit of the Organization of Turkic States, Erdogan stressed the importance of unity among Turkic countries.
"As the Turkic world, I believe we will once again stand together in unity and solidarity against those who seek to undermine our unshakable brotherhood," he said.
Addressing conflicts in the wider region, he said Türkiye was working to help end violence and bloodshed.
"As Türkiye, we are sincerely striving, with all the means at our disposal, to extinguish this fire, alleviate suffering, and stop the bloodshed, opposing those who fuel the fire in our region with expansionist ambitions," he said.
