EU warns Turkey over Mediterranean drilling plans
Saeed Pourreza
Press TV, London
The latest warning to Turkey over Mediterranean drilling plans came from EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and followed Turkey’s announcement that its Yavuz energy drill ship would extend operations in disputed Mediterranean waters until mid-September.
Tensions between Turkey and Greece — which have been at odds over energy explorations — came to a head over Turkey’s Oruc Reis conducting seismic research in an area Greece says is over its continental shelf.
On the other side of the war of words, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned his country would retaliate any move aiming to harass the Turkish drillship.
Last week saw a near-head-on collision between warships from the two sides. And prior to latest developments, reactions were produced from Egypt, and EU member states France and Germany.
Experts say Ankara may be looking westward for natural reserves. At the movement, it imports most of its energy needs from Iran and Russia.
Amid the heightened tensions, Turkey has called for dialog with Greece — a call Athens has rejected as insincere — and called on Ankara to leave the Greek continental shelf immediately, something Turkey seems unlikely to do.
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