Greece on alert as Turkey sends survey ship to disputed waters: report

Turkey has sent a ship to conduct a seismic survey in a disputed area of the eastern Mediterranean, a move that has put Greece on alert, according to the BBC.

The search for potentially rich oil and gas deposits is to take place south of the Greek island of Kastellorizo.

Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis called a meeting with military chiefs on Monday after Turkey issued an international maritime alert, known as a Navtex.

The Oruç Reis’s mission challenges a Greek-Egyptian gas exploration deal.

There are also tensions around Cyprus over rival exploration rights. The Republic of Cyprus and Greece do not accept any such rights for Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus in the region.

The self-styled Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, defended by Turkey, is not internationally recognized. Last year Turkey sent two drilling ships — the Fatih and the Yavuz — to waters off Cyprus.

The Oruç Reis is accompanied by two auxiliary vessels. Its voyage had been suspended by Turkey last month amid international concern.

The Greek foreign ministry said the latest mission was a “new serious escalation” which “exposed” Turkey’s “destabilizing role,” urging Ankara to “immediately cease its illegal activities which undermine peace and security in the region.”

Turkey dismissed the Greek objections, saying they had no legal basis, and vowed to continue operations. The foreign ministry said Turkey’s military presence in the area, about which it gave no details, was purely defensive, according to Reuters.

Greece and Turkey are both NATO members but have a history of border disputes.

Last Thursday Greece and Egypt signed a deal to create an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in waters that contain oil and gas reserves.

The deal conflicts with a rival EEZ that Turkey and the internationally-recognized government in Libya have sought to establish. Such zones can extend for 200 nautical miles.

The Republic of Cyprus has EEZ accords with Lebanon, Egypt and Israel, similarly linked to the development of offshore energy resources.

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from Turkish Minute https://www.turkishminute.com/2020/08/10/greece-on-alert-as-turkey-sends-survey-ship-to-disputed-waters-report/