LOC21:47
18:47 GMT
ANKARA, Sept 18 (KUNA) -- The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that his country is ready for talks with neighboring Greece over recent tension in Eastern Mediterranean.
Quoted by Turkey's news agency (Anadolu), Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul city "let's give diplomacy a chance, put forward a positive approach in diplomacy, let Greece meet our approach in a positive direction and we take a step accordingly".
"We also told them this: We're always ready to meet if there is goodwill, we can meet whether we have a meeting in a third country or through video conferencing, but we can do that."
He said that Turkey has no "trouble" meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, but what is essential is "what to discuss and on what grounds to meet."
Turkey's energy exploration vessel Oruc Reis will return to the mission in the Eastern Mediterranean after maintenance work is over, Erdogan said.
However, the Turkish leader added "if we returned Oruc Reis to the port for maintenance, it also means something. Why did we do it? This is a meaningful approach."
Returning the Oruc Reis to a Turkish port does not mean "our seismic survey is stopped," the Turkish president also said.
Last weekend, Turkey returned the Oruc Reis, a research ship exploring energy in the Eastern Mediterranean, to an Antalya port for restocking and maintenance work.
Tensions have recently escalated over the energy exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean. (end)
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