After its threats of war, the Turkish government has announced a further extension of its exploratory work in the eastern Mediterranean, which is highly controversial under international law.
Turkey is obviously doing everything it can to further escalate the conflict in the eastern Mediterranean. After insults and threats of war against Greece and France, Ankara is now extending the deployment of its research vessel "Oruc Reis" in the Greek exclusive economic zone until at least September 12. The mission was supposed to end on August 23 but was extended once again.
Turkey claims that the Greek islands do not have their own continental shelf and is filing claims on the Mediterranean Sea floor right off the coast of Crete. Accompanied by five Turkish frigates, the research vessel continues its exploratory work. This is primarily a demonstration of power and sabre rattling, because a real extraction of the mineral resources by Turkey seems more than improbable. The Turkish government, wavering under the crisis, is trying to present itself as strong.
The Greek Foreign Ministry said: "Turkey is faithfully fulfilling the role of troublemaker and factor of destabilization in the region. While the EU is constantly discussing sanctions and individual states are showing solidarity with Greece, Germany remains firm on Erdoğan and sabotages any serious measures against Turkish aggression. This connection to the Erdoğan regime threatens to lead to a rift within the EU, especially between France and Germany.”
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