Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Ankara opposes turning the Black Sea into a rivalry arena.
"The Black Sea should by no means be turned into an arena of rivalry. Otherwise, it is fraught with a number of very serious consequences," the Turkish defense ministry quotes the minister's statement following consultations in Germany about the West's military assistance to Kiev.
According to the Turkish minister, Ankara continues its efforts to ensure peace, tranquility and stability in the Black Sea. "After the outbreak of war between Ukraine and Russia, we notified all parties within the [Montreux Convention] that no warships would be allowed through the Bosporus in any case. To date, there has not been a single passage through the Bosporus," Akar noted.
He added that Turkey has "openly and clearly demanded that all parties comply with the Montreux Convention to ensure peace and stability in the region." "The principle of regional ownership must be respected in the region, thus stability must be ensured," the Turkish defense chief stressed.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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Based on materials from TASS