The dispute over natural gas in the eastern Mediterranean is entering a new round: for the first time, according to Greek media reports, a Turkish research ship has reached the Greek exclusive economic zone (EEZ) south of the island of Kastelorizo and east of the island of Crete.
The public service TV (ERT) relied on information from the Ministry of Defense in Athens. A Greek frigate was watching the ship’s movements, it said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced last week that this year „as soon as possible“ to search for natural gas in an area agreed with Libya. The project also affects potentially gas-rich regions south of Crete, which according to Greece are part of its EEZ.
Greece threatens
Ankara now wants to test the Greek reaction with the journey of the „Oruc Reis“, was the assessment of Ioannis Mazis, expert for geopolitics, at the University of Athens, on the ANT1 television station. Athens had warned that it would use all possible means to defend itself against such steps, especially if a Turkish ship was to start research or even test drilling. The Turkish reading is that the island of Crete has territorial waters but no EEZ.
A similar conflict already exists with Cyprus. Turkish ships for trial drilling have been operating there since 2019. The EU countries had therefore created a legal framework for sanctions against Turkey.
