Turkey begins exploration for oil in the eastern Mediterranean
Turkey has kept its promise. Ankara has taken the decision to continue searching for oil in the waters of the Eastern Mediterranean and has announced the commencement of seismic prospecting activities by the vessel Orus Reis. Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Donmez said on Wednesday that the Bosphorus country would begin prospecting despite a wave of international criticism and warnings calling on Turkey to cancel its actions near the island of Kastelorizo, claiming they undermine peace and security in the region.
"Step by step in the Mediterranean. The Orus Reis has begun seismic prospecting"; Donmaz pointed out through the social network Twitter. "The seismic cables have been lowered into the Mediterranean to carry out the seismic survey," he added, announcing that these surveys can continue until 23 August.
The latest moves by Turkey have poisoned the waters of the eastern Mediterranean and triggered a series of reactions from Greece, Cyprus and Egypt. The exchange of threats has intensified after Ankara signed an agreement with the Libyan National Accord Government (NAG) to demarcate the maritime borders. Greece called on Turkey "not to cross any red lines" and not to infringe the sovereign rights of Athens. However, Ankara has ignored this threat and has begun prospecting in the Mediterranean.
The strategic importance of this region has always been present as, on the one hand, it is the gateway to the Red Sea through Egypt and, on the other hand, the entrance to Europe. The discovery of large gas deposits by Israel, Egypt and Lebanon in 2009 has opened a new wound in the area. Greek Foreign Minister NIkos Dendias said on Wednesday that he would meet his US counterpart Mike Pompeo in Vienna on Friday as part of a diplomatic marathon organised by Athens to mobilise the international community on the Greek-Turkish dispute, the digital Al Arab reported: "The talks will focus on developments in the Eastern Mediterranean in the light of the escalation of Turkish provocation," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Ankara made the announcement one day after Pompeo arrived in Europe to begin a five-day tour of Central Europe, to discuss issues such as the rise of China and 5G technology. The European Union will hold an extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council this Friday to discuss this issue. The EU's High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, has called this meeting just one day after the Greek Government requested it. In this complex scenario, Israel has announced its "full support and solidarity" with Greece in its maritime areas.
In the meantime, the world continues to watch the ship Oruc Reis. According to the head of Energy, Ankara's intention is to pull two cables of about 1,750 kilometres in length to explore for hydrocarbons, further exacerbating tensions in the region. This spiral of instability began last Friday, after Greece and Egypt signed an agreement to delimit their EEZs, in response to the document signed between the GNA and Ankara. In response, the country led by Erdogan announced the resumption of the exploration activities it had suspended in July, at the request of Germany, as a gesture of goodwill to seek a dialogue with Greece. The dialectic war between Ankara and Greece moved Wednesday to the waters of the eastern Mediterranean, endangering the stability of the region.
