Turkey announced on Wednesday the extension of a gas exploration mission in the eastern Mediterranean which angered neighboring Greece, ignoring warnings from Western countries.
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The mission of the seismic research vessel Oruç Reis, which was due to end on Thursday, has been extended until October 27, the Turkish navy said in a maritime information notice (NAVTEX).
This ship has become the symbol of Ankara's gas appetites in the eastern Mediterranean, where the discovery in recent years of large deposits has sparked a rush for
"blue gold"
and rekindled ancient maritime disputes between Turkey and Greece.
Athens accuses Ankara of carrying out research in Greek waters, especially near the Greek island of Kastellorizo.
Growing pressures
The initial deployment of the Oruc Reis in August sparked a diplomatic crisis that lasted for several weeks, until the ship's withdrawal by Ankara last month.
But last week Turkey decided to fire its vessel, putting an end to hopes of easing tensions.
Greece accuses Turkey of violating international law by prospecting within its maritime borders and calls for European sanctions against Ankara.
Turkey maintains that it has the right to conduct energy research in this area of the eastern Mediterranean, arguing that the presence of the small Greek island of Kastellorizo near its coast is not enough to impose sovereignty over Athens.
The announcement of the extension of the Orus Reis mission comes amid increasing European pressure against Ankara.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday accused Turkey of harboring
"imperialist fantasies"
in the eastern Mediterranean.
The day before, Athens had asked the European Union to examine a possible suspension of the customs union between the European Union (EU) and Turkey.
