Greece and Turkey spar over East Med seismic

摘要

GREECE has accused fellow NATO member Turkey of "threatening peace" in the East Mediterranean after the Ankara administration resumed oil and gas seismic surveys off the Greek island of Kastel-lorizo. Turkish authorities on 10 August issued a navigational notice - known as Navtex - that the mission of the research vessel Oruc Reis, accompanied by two logistical vessels, would continue in the region until 23 August. Turkey's decision on Monday to resume seismic work in the area constituted a "new serious escalation and exposed Turkey's destabilising role", the Greek Foreign Ministry said, adding that the country "will defend its sovereignty and its sovereign rights". The office of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he had spoken to European Union Council President Charles Michel and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg about Turkey's alleged violation of its territory. Stoltenberg urged respect for international law.