Turkey 'challenges' Greece to enter dialogue over Aegean dispute

Turkey has called on Greece to enter talks on various disputes relating to the Aegean Sea, Anadolu reported on Sunday.

The remarks, made by Turkish officials at the UN General Assembly, came in response to a speech by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the UN, in which he accused Turkey of "playing [a] destabilising role in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East, and the Caucasus."

"Unfortunately, this statement was yet another example of distortion of facts and hostile narrative against Türkiye. Türkiye's role in its region and beyond is well appreciated by the international community," the Turkish delegation said.

"However, Türkiye does challenge Greece to enter into an honest and meaningful dialogue in accordance with international law to address not one but all legally interrelated Aegean disputes," they added, while also slamming allegations that Turkey has threatened Greece's territorial sovereignty.

The two uneasy NATO neighbours have long feuded over maritime borders and energy exploration rights in disputed parts of the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean.

According to Athens, Ankara began "illegal" oil exploration in the northern Aegean back in 1973.

The Turkish UN delegation also urged Greece to stop its migrant pushbacks in the Aegean Sea.

The two countries' war of words has escalated in recent months, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan repeatedly attacking Greece over the islands and saying he will no longer meet Greek leaders.