The lead Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy the European External Action Service (EEAS), Peter Stano, denied the claims made by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu about the alleged annoyance of the EU over the signing of the agreement on the designation of the maritime economic zone borders between Greece and Egypt EEZ, stressing the agreement was a bilateral issue between a Member State and a third state.

Peter Stano stated: “I do not know that the European Union has authorized any Foreign Minister of a third country so that he can speak on behalf of the EU”.

“We want to see a reversal of the climate, we want to see an improvement in relations with Turkey for the benefit of both sides,” he said.

Finally, when asked to comment on information about a possible invitation of the Turkish Foreign Minister to the Informal meeting of foreign affairs ministers – Gymnich, 27-28 August 2020 he noted that “a discussion of 27 is planned for Turkey at this stage”.