The European Union has been dragged into the dispute between Greece and Turkey over Ankara’s decision to send military vessels to the disputed east Mediterranean region to accompany the research vessels Oruc Reis, where it will undertake the surveys close to Megisti. And now the bloc has sent a warning to Turkey after it warned its Yavuz energy drill ship would extend operations in disputed Mediterranean waters off Cyprus until mid-September.
Yavuz will be accompanied by three other Turkish ships according to a maritime notice that added “all vessels are strongly advised not to enter” the area.
A standoff has intensified in recent weeks between Turkey and EU-member Greece over oil and gas exploration rights at sea, and even involved a minor collision between their frigates last week.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell sent a stern warning to Turkey and called for an immediate halt to its activities and the beginning of dialogue.
Turkey’s renewed drilling plan covers a zone delineated by Cyprus and Egypt and raises tensions.
He said: “This action runs counter and undermines efforts to resume dialogue and negotiations, and to pursue immediate de-escalation.”
Cairo and Athens signed a territorial zoning deal earlier this month.
READ MORE: EU warned: Greece-Turkey at ‘high’ risk of full out war
He said the Oruc Reis, which is between Cyprus and the Greek island of Crete, will continue work until August 23.
The vessel has been shadowed by Greek frigates and on Wednesday warships from the two sides were involved in a mild collision.
EU foreign ministers met via video conference on Friday and warned Turkey’s naval movements would lead to a “heightened risk of dangerous incidents”.
They said a deterioration in the relationship with Turkey was having far-reaching strategic consequences for the entire EU, well beyond the eastern Mediterranean.
Relations between Greece and Turkey have long been fraught with tension. Disputes have ranged from boundaries of offshore continental shelves and airspace to the ethnically split island of Cyprus. In 1996 they almost went to war over ownership of uninhabited islets in the Aegean Sea.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu said they discussed on Sunday a standoff over disputed territory in the eastern Mediterranean, where Ankara is at loggerheads with Athens and the EU.
After the meeting in Santo Domingo, Mr Pompeo said on Twitter they discussed “the urgent need to reduce tensions”.
Separately Cavusoglu, in a briefing afterwards, said he explained the “rightful cause” pursued by Turkey in the region.