EU: Turkey's Measures Increase Tension in Mediterranean

The EU considered that Turkey's steps in the eastern Mediterranean "increase tension and distrust," in the region.

The European Foreign Policy Authority said: "The recent communication through the NAVTEX system and Ankara's implementation of seismic scanning, which affect the maritime areas of Greece and Cyprus."

The authority added, "This is another type of escalation that unfortunately raises more tension in the region instead of contributing to long-term solutions."

The authority continued: "Dialogues based on goodwill is essential to achieve a stable environment in the eastern Mediterranean and create relations of cooperation between Europe and Ankara.

The eastern Mediterranean region witnessed great tensions since Turkey kept exploring for resources in Cyprus and Greece waters.

Europe repeatedly criticized the "illegal" Turkish measures and threatened Ankara with sanctions.

Earlier on Wednesday, Cyprus published a request via the "NAVTEX" maritime system demanding Turkey to withdraw its "RV Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa" from Nicosia.