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The Turkish research vessel "Oruc Reis" in the Mediterranean
Photo:
Burhan Ozbilici / AP
After weeks of tension, Greece and Turkey have agreed on a mechanism to prevent military incidents in the eastern Mediterranean.
Among other things, a "hotline" should be set up to avoid conflicts at sea and in the air, said NATO after negotiations between the two member states at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels.
"I welcome the establishment of a mechanism to defuse military conflicts, which was achieved through the constructive commitment of Greece and Turkey (...)," said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
The mechanism could help to create space for diplomatic efforts to resolve the underlying conflict.
He wanted to stay in close contact with both sides, said Stoltenberg.
The background to the negotiations was that the dispute between Turkey and Greece over natural gas in the eastern Mediterranean has recently escalated significantly.
The government in Athens has accused Turkey of illegally exploring deposits off Greek islands.
Ankara, on the other hand, denies the allegations and takes the position that the waters in which natural gas is being drilled on a trial basis belong to the Turkish continental shelf.
In the course of military maneuvers in the sea area, there was recently even a collision between a Greek and a Turkish warship.
Turkey accused Greece of being responsible for the clash.
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mes / dpa
