US urges Turkey to end its calculated provocation

US responds to Turkey’s renewed survey activity in the Eastern Mediterranean, strongly urging Turkey to end calculated provocation and allow exploratory talks with Greece.

The United States Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus released a statement deploring Turkey's announcement of renewed Turkish survey activity in areas where Greece also asserts jurisdiction in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The statement reads as follows:

“The United States deplores Turkey’s October 11 announcement of renewed Turkish survey activity in areas over which Greece asserts jurisdiction in the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkey’s announcement unilaterally raises tensions in the region and deliberately complicates the resumption of crucial exploratory talks between our NATO Allies Greece and Turkey.

Coercion, threats, intimidation, and military activity will not resolve tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. We urge Turkey to end this calculated provocation and immediately begin exploratory talks with Greece. Unilateral actions cannot build trust and will not produce enduring solutions.”