4 minutes agoStrong tensions between Turkey and Greece, Merkel intervenes
Periskopi(6 years ago)
(6 years ago)Tensions between Turkey and Greece in the Eastern Mediterranean are increasing. The French and Greek navy held a joint military exercise Thursday as a signal towards Turkey over the oil and gas reserves issue. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned on his part that anyone who wants [...]
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned on his part that anyone who attacks the Turkish exploratory ship would pay a high “crem”>> Turkish exploratory ship “Orruc Reis” began work Monday. It is accompanied by Turkish warships.
“A true friend of Greece”
French President Emmanuel Macron had earlier announced he would strengthen the French military presence in the Eastern Mediterranean. France, like the EU, has urged Turkey to stop drilling for oil and gas in the disputed maritime zone between Turkey and Greece. Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke on the phone Wednesday.
“Emmanuel Macron is a true friend of Greece and a staunch advocate of European values and international laws,” wrote Mitsotakis later in French on Twitter. France is also one of the most sharp critics of the Turkish government because of developments in Libya.
Merkel tries to mediate
For weeks between the two NATO member states, Greece and Turkey, there are increasing tensions to their claims on some areas in the eastern Mediterranean, where oil and gas sources are thought to be. One of the problems is that Turkey and Libya had agreed on sharing their economic zones in the Mediterranean ʹ, but that is contrary to a similar agreement between Greece and Egypt.
Chancellor Angela Merkel is trying to mediate in conflict. A government spokesman confirmed that Merkel had talked again on the phone with Erdogan and Mitsotakis on Thursday. The theme had been the situation in the eastern Mediterranean, the spokesman said without providing further details/ DW.
