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Eastern Mediterranean

Turkey’s seismic research vessel Oruç Reis Returns to the Mediterranean

After pulling back Oruç Reis, Turkey’s seismic research vessel, Ankara had claimed that the move was made only for the vessel’s planned maintenance. Greece perceived this move as a positive action.  However, Turkey applied its claims on the field and sent back Oruç reis from Antalya to Eastern Mediterranean to continue its seismic explorations accompanied by two other ships (Ataman and Cengiz) for the next ten days as declared in the new NAVTEX, despite the sanction threats of the EU.

Greek Government Declared a New NAVTEX

As a response to Turkey’s recent NAVTEX announcement, the Greek government declared a new NAVTEX from the island of Crete on Monday.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Mass Cancelled His Visit to Turkey

In response to Turkey’s new NAVTEX announcement in the Eastern Mediterranean, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas canceled his visit to Ankara, which was planned to be held on this Wednesday. Following the cancellation of the visit, the German Minister adjusted his schedule. The German minister will be visiting Nicosia, Cyprus, to meet the Cypriot president Nikos Anastasiadis and his Greek Cypriot counterpart Nikos Christodoulidis. After his trip to Cyprus, Maas will be heading to Athens to meet the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.