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The Turkish Defense Ministry strongly defended the Türkiye-Libya maritime delimitation memorandum of understanding (MoU) against EU criticism while condemning Israeli attacks in Gaza during its weekly briefing.
Ministry sources rejected criticism in the EU Leaders Summit Final Declaration targeting the Türkiye-Libya maritime delimitation MoU.
"The Memorandum of Understanding on Maritime Jurisdictions concluded between our country and Libya in 2019 was prepared in compliance with international maritime law rules and within the framework of equity to protect the rights of both countries," sources stated.
"The Memorandum of Understanding has been notified to the UN by both our country and Libya. We do not accept the characterization of our Memorandum of Understanding as 'unlawful' as a result of unilateral political orientations of Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration," sources noted.
The memorandum was determined in accordance with the median line principle between mainlands, the non-enclosure principle and the equity principle, ministry sources explained.
Cooperation with Libya on maritime issues will continue to be developed and sustained within the framework of the MoU, according to the ministry sources.
Defense Ministry Press and Public Relations Advisor Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk delivered a strong statement condemning Israeli actions in Gaza.
Akturk emphasized that Israel's attacks and mass killings that disregard international law and humanitarian values since Oct. 7, 2023, must end.
"Israel's recent intensified attacks on civilians waiting for humanitarian aid are incompatible with humanity and legal values," he stated.
Akturk said Türkiye's priorities are allowing humanitarian aid and achieving a permanent cease-fire to end the tragedy in Gaza as soon as possible.
Under the Türkiye-Greece Confidence Building Measures 2025 Implementation Plan, high-level military visits are scheduled between the two countries.
The 5th Corps Commander will visit the Greek D Corps Commander in Xanthi on July 8-9, while the Greek Naval Commander will visit the Naval Command in Golcuk on July 9-10. These visits will represent ongoing efforts to maintain dialogue and reduce tensions between the neighboring NATO allies.
During ongoing operations and search-sweep activities, three PKK terrorists surrendered to Turkish forces in the past week.
"Within the scope of ongoing operations and search-sweep activities, three PKK terrorists surrendered in the last week, and numerous weapons, ammunition and living materials found in terrorist shelters, hideouts and caves in operation areas, especially Claw-Lock, were rendered unusable," Akturk stated.
The ministry also reported ongoing efforts to destroy tunnels in certain areas of Syria as part of its broader security operations.
"Within the scope of ongoing 'tunnel destruction' activities in Syrian operation areas, 176 kilometers of tunnels in the Tel Rifaat region and 212 kilometers in the Manbij region have been destroyed to date," Akturk stated.
When asked about reports that the 2026 NATO leaders' summit will be held at the Ay Yildiz campus, ministry sources responded: "It has been reported in the press that the NATO leaders' summit to be held in Türkiye in 2026 will take place at the Ay Yildiz campus in Ankara. Ninety percent of the first phase (rough construction) of the Ay Yildiz Joint Headquarters Project, where the Ministry of National Defense, General Staff and Force Commands will be stationed, has been completed."
"TOKI Presidency has tendered the second phase works and the contractor company has started work. The decision on where the summit will be held rests with our President," sources concluded.
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