(ANSA) - ISTANBUL, AUGUST 29 - Turkey has today launched new exercises in the eastern Mediterranean which should last two weeks, an initiative that does not give a glimpse of a normalization of relations between Ankara and Athens in the short term.
A dispute over maritime borders and gas drilling rights has in fact rekindled the long-standing rivalry between Greece and Turkey, which both organized naval exercises.
Turkey has announced that it will carry out "training exercises" from today until 11 September in front of its southern coasts, north of the island of Cyprus. Ankara had already announced last Thursday military exercises for next Tuesday and Wednesday in an area further east.
Tensions between the two countries have intensified considerably since 10 August, with the deployment of the research ship Oruc Reis in Greek waters. Yesterday the Turkish Defense Ministry announced that the day before fighter planes had intercepted six Greek aircraft heading towards the ship, forcing them to turn around. (HANDLE).
Turkey: new exercises in the eastern Mediterranean
2020-08-29T14:04:13.894Z
Turkey today launched new exercises in the eastern Mediterranean that are expected to last two weeks, an initiative that does not suggest a normalization of relations between Ankara and Athens in the short term. (HANDLE)
