Tensions in the Mediterranean: Turkey remains uncompromising vis-à-vis Europe

The Turkish drilling vessel "Yavuz" on its way to the Mediterranean, June 20, 2019 (illustration). AP Photo / Lefteris Pitarakis

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The situation is increasingly tense in the eastern Mediterranean, where Greece and Turkey are continuing their standoff over the exploitation of hydrocarbons. While sticking to its positions, Turkey, isolated on this issue, says it wants a negotiated solution.

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With our correspondent in Istanbul, Anne Andlauer

While its seismic vessel Oruç Reis, escorted by several military vessels, has been conducting research for hydrocarbons in the eastern Mediterranean since the start of the week, Turkey seems determined to challenge Greece, which has dispatched its navy to the area in response.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned Athens that he will not tolerate "  any attack on our civilian ships  ". Before affirming, "  that such a situation  " had occurred Thursday and that the Turkish warship Kemal Reis had immediately "  replied  ", without further details.

Turkey is playing between pressure and de-escalation

Turkey, which knows itself to be isolated in this matter, has no more interest than its Greek neighbor in seeing tensions degenerate. Moreover, as intransigent as they are, Turkish warnings are always accompanied by a call for dialogue.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared that he had reached an agreement with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to try to “  calm  ” tensions after August 23, the date of the end of the mission announced for the Turkish ship Oruç Reis. Promoting de-escalation by playing escalation: such seems to be Turkey's risky strategy in the eastern Mediterranean.

►Also read: Hydrocarbons: Turkey resumes drilling in the eastern Mediterranean

At the same time, the European Union is organizing this Friday an extraordinary meeting, by videoconference , of its foreign ministers on this subject in particular.

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  • Turkey
  • Water
  • Oil
  • Greece
  • European Union
  • Raw materials

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Tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean: Athens continues its diplomatic marathon

Hydrocarbons: Turkey resumes drilling in the eastern Mediterranean