The 1936 Montreux Convention ensures the freedom of merchant ships to pass through straits in times of peace and war.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar affirmed on Sunday that his country will continue to block warships from entering the Black Sea.

A Haber TV channel quoted Akar as saying that "Turkey will remain committed to the Montreux Convention and will not allow the entry of warships into the Black Sea."

In March, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu reiterated that Turkey's commitment to the Montreux convention remains unchanged, adding that Ankara will continue to comply with its regulations.

The 1936 Montreux Convention ensures the freedom of merchant ships to pass through straits in times of peace and war, but regulations may differ by country.

The Convention limits the period of stay in the Black Sea of non-Black Sea states' warships to three weeks.

In emergency situations, Turkey has the right to prohibit or restrict the passage of military ships through the Bosporus and the Dardanelles.