Speaking about hydrocarbon exploration efforts in the Eastern Mediterranean during a speech in Parliament on the ministry’s 2020 budget plans, the Minister said: ""We are carrying out the fourth drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean. We will continue to search until we find it. Although some threats are made to our country and institutions, we do not consider any of them and we will do this work until the end."

The foreign ministers of European Union member states agreed to establish a legal framework for sanctions, which include a travel ban and freezing of assets of individuals due to Turkey's natural gas exploration off Cyprus.

Reacting to the EU's decision about sanctions, Turkish Foreign Ministry said: "It is a futile expectation to hope that our country will bow to threats and step back from its rights in the Eastern Mediterranean, Therefore, no one should doubt that we will continue our exploration and drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean in the same way." (ILKHA)