Greece calls on Turkey to stop renewed gas exploration activities in East Med
As Turkish vessels are dispatched near Greek territorial waters, analysts say tensions in the eastern Mediterranean Sea could quickly escalate if leaders on both sides do not reengage in diplomatic talks.
ISTANBUL — The Greek Foreign Ministry called on Turkey to stop what it deemed “illegal” gas exploration activities in the eastern Mediterranean Monday amid a potentially dangerous escalation between the two nations over contested maritime claims in the region.
“Greece will not be blackmailed. It will defend its sovereignty and its sovereign rights,” the ministry said in a statement.
The developments come after Turkey issued a navigational communication known as a Navtex Monday, stating the seismic research vessel Oruc Reis would be conducting surveying activities south of the Greek island of Kastellorizo until Aug. 23. At the same time, Turkey began two days of naval exercises Monday southeast Kastellorizo and the island of Rhodes.
On Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Turkey would resume its search for energy resources in the region following the breakdown of informal talks between Ankara and Athens, which had been in negotiations to resolve longstanding maritime delimitations between Greek islands and mainland Turkey.
