In “Major Escalation” Turkey Renews Gas Exploration Off Greece, Vows Military Escort
In late September into early this month for a brief moment it looked as if the Turkey-Greece East Mediterranean dispute over Turkish hydrocarbons exploration was cooling, given intense diplomatic contacts and negotiations among the major players, which includes Cyprus and the EU. This after in August and earlier last month the rival sides conducted increased war games which threatened at any moment to become ‘live’ fighting.
But now this momentary calm has been shattered, as Turkey’s navy late Sunday issued a public advisory saying it will sail the Oruc Reis survey ship to conduct exploration activities just off Greece’s easternmost island of Kastellorizo. Turkey indicated the mission is planned over the next ten days, until October 22.