Eastern Mediterranean

German foreign minister Heiko Maas criticized Turkey for sending a survey vessel back into controversial waters of the eastern Mediterranean, calling the unilateral move a blow to efforts to start negotiations in the conflict. “Turkey’s…

Greece will not engage in exploratory talks with Turkey as long as Turkish survey vessel Oruc Reis remains in its continental shelf waters, the government’s spokesman said on Tuesday. “As long as the Oruc Reis is in the area we will not…

Turkey does not expect to face European Union sanctions over a dispute with Greece in the eastern Mediterranean, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Monday, a day after a Turkish survey ship pulled out of contested waters. Cavusoglu…

urkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said on Sunday that the return of the seismic research vessel Oruc Reis to near the country’s southern shores does not mean Ankara has given up on its rights in the eastern Mediterranean. Speaking to the…

Turkey’s seismic research vessel Oruc Reis returned to waters near the southern province of Antalya on Sunday, Refinitiv data showed, a move that could ease tensions between Ankara and Athens over offshore natural resources. Turkey’s navy…

The European Union is preparing sanctions against Turkey that could be discussed at the bloc’s next summit on Sept. 24 in response to the eastern Mediterranean dispute with Greece, the EU’s top diplomat said on Friday. The measures,…

Germany warned on Tuesday that Greece and Turkey risked a military clash unless they turn to dialogue to solve a row over energy resources in the Mediterranean Sea, where the NATO allies geared for rival naval drills in disputed waters.…

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas is planning to discuss the natural gas dispute in the eastern Mediterranean Sea in Athens and Ankara on Tuesday, a ministry spokesperson said on Monday. Germany regrets Turkey’s decision to extend the…

The European Union said on Tuesday recent developments in the Eastern Mediterranean are “extremely worrying” and warned of escalating tensions between Turkey and Greece, who are at odds over overlapping claims for hydrocarbon resources in…

Turkish Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said on Tuesday, that his country has stopped energy exploration operations in the Eastern Mediterranean for some time, pending talks with Greece. Kalin added, in television statements, that…