Turkish main opposition condemns Germany, Italy over search of ship

By Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's main opposition leader on Tuesday condemned Germany and Italy over an illegal search of Turkish-flagged ship bound for Libya by an EU naval mission.

"We strongly condemn Germany and Italy over the raid on our ship in the international waters," Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the Republican People's Party (CHP) head, told his party's parliamentary group in the capital Ankara.

Kilicdaroglu urged the government to give a clear response to the illegal search.

He criticized the EU for practicing double standards against Turkey, adding: "I have said it to the EU many times."

Turkey has strongly condemned the illegal search of the Turkish-flagged MV Roseline A by an EU naval mission on Sunday.

The German frigate responsible for the unlawful action was part of Operation Irini, a European mission launched earlier this year to enforce the UN arms embargo on Libya.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said the vessel was only carrying paint, paint materials, and humanitarian aid to Libya’s port of Misrata, and did not violate the UN embargo.

The ministry also summoned envoys of the EU, Italy, and Germany on Monday.

A diplomatic note given to the envoys said “the incident is against international law and that our rights to compensation are reserved,” according to the ministry.

Turkey has long argued that the UN embargo is being enforced in a biased manner favoring warlord Khalifa Haftar.

Libya has been torn by a civil war since the ouster of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

A new government was founded in 2015 under a UN-led agreement, but efforts for a long-term political settlement have failed in the face of attacks by Haftar’s forces.

Turkey supports the country’s legitimate government based in the capital Tripoli.