On Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Varosha on the 37th anniversary of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’s foundation. In his visit, the Turkish President clearly stated that any plan that does not include Turkey or TRNC would not bring peace and stability. The Greek side rejected the Annan Agreement for the unification of the island and did not want to sit at the table with us and despite the steps taken by the Turkish side, promises given by the EU are not kept, and both administrative and financial support is not provided to the TRNC, said the Turkish President.

In the early hours of Wednesday, Turkey announced a new NAVTEX (Navigational Telex) extending the period of the research activities of Oruç Reis in the Mediterranean. The previous NAVTEX was expiring on the 14th of November, while the new NAVTEX extended the Turkish seismic research vessel’s activities until the 23rd of November near the Greek island of Kastellorizo.

In the beginning of November, Turkey declared a new NAVTEX in the area surrounding the Kas Island. In the announcement, Turkey warned all the mariners to sail at least 6 miles away from the Turkish seismic research vessel Oruç Reis. Moreover, the announcement also said that the research would continue until November 14.

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.