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Greece and Turkey conduct exercises in the Mediterranean: "Playing with fire"

The German foreign minister paid a quick visit to Athens and Ankara in an attempt to prevent an escalation in tensions between two NATO members, warning: "Every little spark could lead to catastrophe."

• Mediterranean
• Turkey
• Greece
• Germany

Reuters

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Germany warned today (Tuesday) that Greece and Turkey could run into a military confrontation if they do not engage in a dialogue over their disputes over energy resources in the Mediterranean. Ankara and Athens, NATO members, have exchanged threats in recent weeks and both have announced separate naval exercises in controversial territory.

Earlier this month an incident was recorded between the two neighboring fleets, following a minor clash between Turkish and Greek ships. Germany is leading European efforts to calm the winds, but Its foreign minister, Heiko Mass, stressed today that Berlin and the union are on the side of Greece, a member of the bloc.

"The current situation in the eastern Mediterranean is like a game of fire," Mas said after meeting with his Greek counterpart in Athens before continuing to visit Ankara. "

After the meeting with the German Foreign Minister, his Greek counterpart said that Athens is interested in talks with Turkey, but will not do so" under threats. "He stressed that Greece is ready to defend its rights, adding that the dispute concerns the entire EU and its security. Are scheduled to convene on Thursday and Friday in Berlin and discuss the crisis.

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Naval exercise of Greek and French ships in the Mediterranean, this month (Photo: Reuters)

Greece and Turkey are deeply divided over the extent of their land shelves, from which their maritime territory is derived. Tensions escalated after Turkey sent the research ship Oroch Reese to the disputed naval area this month. Greece said it was an illegal move.

Greece issued a warning yesterday that it would hold a naval exercise near the island of Crete today, after Turkey announced on Sunday that its research ship would operate in the same area until August 27. In response, Turkey issued its own warning that it would also hold a day-to-day exercise, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Greece was "sowing chaos" in the Mediterranean. He warned that Athens would find itself facing the Turkish navy alone.

Germany intervened in the crisis last month as well, and managed to persuade Turkey to halt its activities for talks with Greece. However, Turkish activity in the eastern Mediterranean was resumed after Greece and Egypt signed an agreement to demarcate their maritime borders.

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