Turkey to Grant License for Exploration and Gas Drilling in Eastern Mediterranean

Turkey plans to grant a license for exploration and gas drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean. This was announced by Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. This move is expected to further strain relations with Greece, as reported by Reuters.

Recently, Turkey sent a research vessel close to the shores of Greece and Cyprus. Ankara stated that the maritime agreement, which was signed between Greece and Egypt last week, demonstrates that Athens cannot be trusted.

Cavusoglu noted that the Oruc Reis research vessel will continue its operations, and Ankara will issue a license for exploration and gas drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean by the end of August. “Our determination is unwavering. We will not resort to any compromises on this issue,” said Cavusoglu.

Greece announced that a Council meeting on foreign affairs will be convened. The EU has called for dialogue, with Peter Stano, a spokesperson for the European Commission on foreign affairs, stating, “Recent events raise concerns.”

Turkey's President Ibrahim Kalin mentioned that the two-month negotiations between Turkey and Greece led to an understanding, but this was disrupted by the deal made between Greece and Egypt.