U.S. Senator Menendez: Turkey not committed to democracy and rule of law under Erdoğan

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As tensions in the eastern Mediterranean increase due to repeated trespassing into Greek waters by Turkey in search of energy sources, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bob Menendez (D-NJ) stated following a meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is not committed to the principles of democracy and the rule of law.

Sen. Menendez said that they all aspire for Turkey to be a bridge between East and West, a strong ally in NATO governed by secular principles and committed to the principles of democracy and the rule of law. Unfortunately, he continued, under the rule of Erdoğan, it is clear that Turkey does not aspire to these goals.

“We have to deal with this reality,” he added.

Sen. Menendez expressed his belief that the rights of each country and its exclusive economic zones must be observed and that when there is conflict, they must be resolved through legal means and not by force.

Minister Dendias indicated that Turkey, in violation of the rule of law, posed a threat to Greece,