ISTANBUL (TURKEY) – Amid growing tensions with Greece over disputed claims to east Mediterranean sea exploration rights, the Turkish government has said it will hold military drills off northwest Cyprus over the next couple of weeks.
The long-running dispute between the two NATO members flared up after Turkey and Greece agreed on rival accords on their maritime borders with Libya and Egypt and Ankara sent a survey vessel into the contested waters this month.
Two weeks ago, Greek and Turkish frigates following Oruc Reis oil and gas survey vessel of Ankara collided. Turkish defence ministry said on Thursday that its F-16 jets prevented six Greek fighter aircraft from entering an area where Turkey was operating.
On Friday night, Ankara issued a Navtex advisory to mariners alerting them of a gunnery exercise from Saturday until September 11 off the coast of northwest Cyprus.
Top diplomats of the EU said on Friday that the bloc was coming out with sanctions against Turkey in response to the nation’s belligerent attitude towards Greece. The sanctions would be discussed during a summit in late September.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.