Turkey grows increasingly isolated in eastern Mediterranean dispute with Greece
Recep Tayyip Erdogan's assertive stance in the eastern Mediterranean maritime dispute is being challenged by a bloc comprising Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel and France.
Tensions in the eastern Mediterranean took a dangerous new turn on Aug. 13 as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ramped up his hawkish rhetoric against Greece.
Speaking at a meeting of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Erdogan said Turkey had warned Greece that if it were to attack a Turkish seismic research ship deployed off a small Greek island, it would “pay a heavy price.” Erdogan said Greece had “received its first response.” He did not elaborate.
His comments followed reports cited by the Financial Times that a Greek navy warship had been shadowing the Turkish vessel.
The Oruc Reis, escorted by Turkish warships, entered contested waters off the southern coast of the Greek island of Kastellorizo on Aug. 10, marking a further escalation in the maritime dispute between Turkey on the one hand and a bloc comprising Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel and now France on the other hand.
