Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar, indicated in his speech on March 21, 2019 that we are tasked with the responsibility to protect and maintain peace in our blue homeland of 462 thousand square kilometres.

It is sadly observed that some media outlets have failed to accurately report his speech in its totality.

While always expressing that the problems in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean should be resolved through peaceful means and dialogue, Turkey has the will and determination to protect its rights and interests arising from international law and agreements.