Turkish Government to extend seismic survey in Eastern Mediterranean
Turkey announced that it was extending the seismic survey work carried out by its ship Oruc Reis in the disputed part of the eastern Mediterranean until 29 November, a development that could add to the region's tensions.
NATO members Turkey and Greece are locked in a dispute over the size of their continental shelves and competing claims in the eastern Mediterranean for hydrocarbon resources.
When Turkey sent the Oruc Reis into waters also claimed by Greece and Cyprus, the row erupted in August.
It was planned that the survey work would be completed by Nov 23, but a Turkish naval maritime notice reported that the vessel would continue to work in the region.
In September, Ankara withdrew the vessel to allow for diplomacy with Greece, but then returned it to the region, triggering an angry reaction from Greece, France and Germany.
"EU accusations... about our determined research and drilling activities in the eastern Mediterranean to protect Turkey's rights and Turkish Cypriot interests do not reflect history, law and reality," President Erdogan commented.
Maritime Business World
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