As Turkey’s foreign minister under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan from 2009 to 2014, and prime minister the following two years, Davutoglu championed a less confrontational policy based on gaining strategic depth through “zero problems with neighbors”.

But he left the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) last year to set up the rival Future Party, publicly criticizing what he saw a shift toward authoritarianism under the new executive presidency.

In the Eastern Mediterranean, the European Union has imposed minor sanctions against Turkey for its natural gas drilling operations over the past year in waters claimed by Greece and Cyprus. A collision last month between Greek and Turkish warships shadowing the survey vessel pointed toward possible military escalation, particularly amid Erdogan’s aggressive posturing, according to Davutoglu.

“Unfortunately our government is not doing a proper diplomatic performance,” Davutoglu told Reuters, advising Turkish officials to call for open talks with Greece and the EU.

This echoed the view of U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who on Wednesday called for Greece and Turkey to stand down and start a dialogue. Turkey’s leader also appears to be leaning toward this view.

“We can meet on a common ground where everyone can win. We can pursue a win-win policy,” he said to AKP officials late Wednesday.

Ankara and Athens were said to be on the verge of renewing talks last month when Greece signed a maritime borders deal with Egypt, cutting across waters claimed by Turkey. Ankara cut off the talks in protest, and a visit to Greece and Turkey by Germany’s foreign minister last week appeared to make no headway. EU leaders will discuss the standoff later this month and could take further action against Turkey.

On Tuesday, the United States partially ended a 46-year embargo on arms sales to Cyprus, which is now able to buy non-lethal U.S. weapons and military equipment.

Reporter’s code: 50101