Turkey calls on Russia and Ukraine to respect the principles of the Montreux Convention

Turkey's defence minister Hulusi Akar, commenting on tensions on the Russia-Ukraine line, called for respect for the rules governing the law of the sea in the Black Sea Convention of Montreux," reported Turkish agency Anatolia on Monday.

"Our position is very clear, and we have been in favour of the countries on the Black Sea living in peace, dialogue and prosperity under the Montreux regime for years. The status granted by Montreux is beneficial to all parties," said Akar, referring to the conflict located on the Black Sea of Russia and Ukraine.

Montreux Convention from 1936 regulates movement in Turkish straits – Bosfor and Dardanele. It obliges non-Black Sea countries to notify them 15 days in advance of sending smaller warships there and, in the event of Turkey's accession to the war, it makes the movement of ships dependent on the will of the Turkish authorities.

Straits offer the only maritime access to closed within six Black Sea states. Apart from Turkey, Russia and Ukraine, these are Bulgaria, Romania and Georgia.

"We continue to participate in the dialogue between Russia and Ukraine on the Black Sea," noted Turkish defence minister.

On Thursday, Turkey's President Recep Tayyid Erdogan will meet with Ukraine's President Volodomyr Zelenski in Kiev. Last week Erdogan reiterated his offer of mediation in Russia's conflict with Ukraine and invited President Putin to visit Ankara.

Written by Jakub buffalo/PAP