Turkey said it will hold a military exercise off northwest Cyprus for the next two weeks, amid growing tension with Greece over disputed claims to exploration rights in the east Mediterranean.
The long-running dispute between Turkey and Greece, both NATO members, flared up after the two countries agreed rival accords on their maritime boundaries with Libya and Egypt, and Turkey sent a survey vessel into contested waters this month.
Both sides have held military exercises in the east Mediterranean, highlighting the potential for the dispute over the extent of their continental shelves to escalate into confrontation. Two weeks ago Greek and Turkish frigates shadowing Turkey’s Oruc Reis oil and gas survey vessel collided, and Turkey’s Defence Ministry said Turkish F-16 jets on Thursday prevented six Greek F-16s entering an area where Turkey was operating.
On Friday night Turkey issued a Navtex notice - an advisory message to mariners - saying it would be holding a “gunnery exercise” from Saturday until Sept. 11 off northwest Cyprus. The European Union’s top diplomat said on Friday the bloc was preparing sanctions against Turkey that could be discussed at a summit in late September in response to Ankara’s standoff with EU member Greece.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Turkey, UK discuss east Mediterranean as EU urges end to drillingThe EU urges Turkey to halt its drilling activities in contested waters in the eastern Mediterranean and threatens restrictive measures as Turkish and UK defence chiefs discuss rising tensions
Read more »
Turkey wards off Greek jets in Eastern MediterraneanTurkish F-16 jets intercepted six aircraft approaching an area in the Eastern Mediterranean where Turkey had issued Navtex alert and warded them off after finding that the jets belonged to Greece.
Read more »
EU set to sanction Turkey over ships in disputed east Med exploration areaThe 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.
Read more »
How to Stuff a Turkey the Right Way (for the Juiciest, Most Flavorful Result)How to stuff a turkey the right way (for the juiciest, most flavorful result).
Read more »
EU urges Turkey to stop Med drilling, speeds sanction workThe European Union urges Turkey to halt its drilling activities in contested waters in the Mediterranean and orders EU officials to speed up work aimed at blacklisting some Turkish officials linked to the energy exploration.
Read more »
Turkey hosted a million tourists in July despite the ongoing pandemicTurkey’s tourism is set to cope with the harsh effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, thanks to the ‘Safe Tourism Certification’ and numerous measures taken by the government
Read more »