Tension remains high between Greece and Turkey, whose warships are in the eastern Mediterranean where Turkey has sent a research vessel to carry out seismic research for energy resources in an area Greece says is on its continental shelf, according to Associated Press on Tuesday. Ankara announced on Monday that its research vessel Oruc Reis and two support vessels would be operating in the Mediterranean Sea between Cyprus and Greece until Aug. 23. The Oruc Reis arrived in the area Monday morning, escorted by Turkish warships.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Donmez said on Twitter that the Oruc Reis had arrived in its area of operation from its anchorage off Turkey’s southern coast, saying “83 million back the Oruc Reis,” referring to Turkey’s population.
Greece’s prime minister has convened the government’s national security council amid the growing tensions slamming the move as an illegal act that infringes on its sovereign rights.
Athens claims the Turkish research vessel is inside an area covered by the Greek continental shelf. Greek warships are in the area and are monitoring the Oruc Reis, while the military is on alert.
Germany says Turkey “burdens its relations with the EU”
Germany expressed “concern” over “Turkey ‘s decision to conduct further seismic surveys,” stressing that “at this time it is definitely the wrong message” as “unilateral steps do not bring us a step towards a solution” while “with such steps Turkey further burdens its relations with the European Union,” Ethnos reported.
According to the correspondent of Open TV in Berlin, Pantelis Valasopoulos, the spokesperson of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Christopher Burger, reiterated the position of Foreign Affairs Minister, Heiko Maas, for actions that are not in accordance with international law, while he called on both sides to have dialogue as originally planned.
At the same time, he stressed that Minister Maas is in contact with both sides, while he did not respond to the re-mediation of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is on vacation, but is working normally.
“We are concerned about Turkey’s decision to conduct further seismic surveys. Foreign Minister Maas has repeatedly stated that international law must be respected and that we urgently need de-escalation steps in the Eastern Mediterranean. And in that sense, further seismic research at this time is definitely the wrong message,” said Burger.
“Unilateral steps do not bring us a single step towards a solution and with such steps Turkey further burdens its relations with the EU,” Burger added, whilst he called on “both sides to resolve all outstanding issues at the negotiating table and start a bilateral dialogue, as planned, between Athens and Ankara.”
Foreign Minister Haiko Maas has been in contact with both sides in recent days and will continue, Mr Burger added.
Asked if Merkel intends to mediate again between Greece and Turkey, government spokesman Stephen Seibert said the federal government was “very closely watching.”
“It simply came to our notice then. It is important and urgent that the parties involved, Greece and Turkey, seek direct dialogue with each other, discuss directly – and hopefully resolve – the disputed issues of Maritime Law,” Seibert continued.
“The German government is in contact with both sides and, where it may seem useful, it will do so, but the decisive factor is direct conversation,” he added. /argumentum.al
