Turkey keeps harassing Greece as Europe tries to defuse crisis

Shaimaa Hefzi

Turkey uses its latest declaration about making a natural gas find in the Black Sea to put pressure on Greece when it comes to Ankara’s exploration activities in the East Mediterranean.

European countries work, meanwhile, to defuse the brewing crisis between Ankara and Athens.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared that a Turkish drill ship had found what he described as the Black Sea’s largest natural gas field. He said production from the field would go online in 2023.

The discovered well, Erdogan said, has confirmed reserves of 320 billion cubic meters of gas.

The Turkish president also said that his country would not present any concessions as far as its defense of its rights in the East Mediterranean is concerned.

He said his country would accept negotiations with Greece, only if the latter does not set any preconditions.

Tensions over maritime boundaries and Turkey’s illegal exploration of natural gas have increased between the two NATO member states. They have led the two states into conducting rival military games.

“Turkey will do whatever necessary in the Black Sea, the Aegean Sea and in the Mediterranean,” Erdogan said. “It will not present any concessions,” he added.

The Turkish president noted that his country would take whatever action necessary at the political, economic and military levels to defend its own interests.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said his country was ready for dialogue, only if it is done without any preconditions.

This dialogue, he said, should aim at the fair distribution of wealth.

He noted that this dialogue would not be possible if Greece sets any preconditions.

Use of force

Turkey threatens to use force in the East Mediterranean. Erdogan made this threat. The Turkish Ministry of Defense also published news on its Twitter account about two Turkish corvettes participating in naval drills in the Mediterranean with an Italian warship.

Turkey provokes Greece. However, Athens tries to pressure the European Union to impose sanctions on Turkey.

Some European countries also try to mediate between the two rival NATO member states.