Greece says no talks with Turkey as long as survey ship in area

Greece will not engage in exploratory talks with Turkey as long as Turkish survey vessel Oruc Reis remains in its continental shelf waters, the government's spokesman said on Tuesday.

"As long as the Oruc Reis is in the area we will not hold exploratory contacts with Turkey," Stelios Petsas told Skai Radio.

On Monday, Greece said Ankara's decision to send the vessel close to Kastellorizo, a Greek island near the Turkish coast, was a "major escalation" and a "direct threat to peace in the region".

Turkey had withdrawn the vessel from contested waters in the eastern Mediterranean last month to "allow diplomacy" before an EU summit at which sanctions against Turkey were discussed.

At the summit, the EU said that if Turkey continued operations in the region, sanctions could be imposed as soon as December.

REUTERS

Greece says no talks with Turkey as long as survey ship in area

Breaking Headlines

Greece

Turkey

Talks

Ship

Lebanese army arrests wanted man in Baalbek on charges of drug trafficking and car theft

Lebanese army arrests wanted man in Baalbek on charges of drug trafficking and car theft

Lebanon in the spotlight: Could rising Israeli threats trigger a new escalation?

Lebanon in the spotlight: Could rising Israeli threats trigger a new escalation?

Lebanon's Health Ministry reports two killed in Israeli strike targets on Zebdine–Nabatieh road

Lebanon's Health Ministry reports two killed in Israeli strike targets on Zebdine–Nabatieh road

A year after the assassination of Hezbollah's Nasrallah, Lebanon still reels from the shockwave

A year after the assassination of Hezbollah's Nasrallah, Lebanon still reels from the shockwave

Meet Miss Lebanon 2025 contestants: Video

Meet Miss Lebanon 2025 contestants: Video

Series of Israeli airstrikes spark massive fire in southern Lebanon

Series of Israeli airstrikes spark massive fire in southern Lebanon

Lunar eclipse captivates Lebanon: watch the stunning video

Lunar eclipse captivates Lebanon: watch the stunning video

Tom Barrack calls Lebanon a ‘failed state,’ urges faster action on Hezbollah’s weapons

Tom Barrack calls Lebanon a ‘failed state,’ urges faster action on Hezbollah’s weapons

Lebanon launches nationwide campaign to remove illegal ‘newelne’ roadside stalls

Lebanon launches nationwide campaign to remove illegal ‘newelne’ roadside stalls

Israel strikes vehicle in Kfar Sir in South Lebanon

Israel strikes vehicle in Kfar Sir in South Lebanon

Behind barbed wire: The fate of Lebanese women trapped in Syria’s al-Hol camp

Behind barbed wire: The fate of Lebanese women trapped in Syria’s al-Hol camp

Lebanese army arrests wanted man in Baalbek on charges of drug trafficking and car theft

Lebanese army arrests wanted man in Baalbek on charges of drug trafficking and car theft

Former Minister Ghazi Aridi criticizes Hezbollah, calls for a unified defense strategy

Former Minister Ghazi Aridi criticizes Hezbollah, calls for a unified defense strategy

Money transfers, forged signatures uncovered in Lebanese University exam tampering scandal: The details

Money transfers, forged signatures uncovered in Lebanese University exam tampering scandal: The details

Sisi opens Grand Egyptian Museum, calls it 'new chapter in history'

Sisi opens Grand Egyptian Museum, calls it 'new chapter in history'