PM: "We are among 10 countries which can construct warship"

Turkey yesterday announced that its first domestically produced warship, the Heybeliada, is operational in a ceremony held at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command amidst ongoing tension over a Greek Cypriot drive to explore gas reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean. Speaking during the ceremony, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan proudly said Turkey has taken its place among 10 countries that can design and construct warships, as he introduced the warship. Recalling that the Heybeliada, a patrol and anti-submarine warship produced by the Istanbul Naval Shipyard Command, was constructed in three years as part of the National Ship (MILGEM) project, Erdogan said he is pleased to see that the government did indeed take a correct step with the MILGEM project. Erdogan also said Turkey would take all necessary measures to defend its rights over natural resources in the sea. "Turkey's interests in the seas reach from surrounding waters out to Suez Canal and Indian Ocean," he said adding that Turkey would take all the necessary measures to defend its commercial interests and its rights over the natural resources in the sea. "We have sent the Piri Reis [a Turkish exploration vessel] to the eastern Mediterranean for research activities. We will continue to bring into action anything that our national interest requires without any hesitation," Erdogan said.