Greek Naval Forces on High Alert as Tensions Rise Again in East Med

On Thursday, the Greek Navy issued its own navigational telex (NAVTEX) in the area between the islands of Rhodes and Kastellorizo, in response to Turkey's notice to sailors for exploration activities it says are within the Greek continental self.

Greece's notice states that the Turkish activity “is unauthorised and illegal,” in an area that overlaps the Greek continental shelf.

It also said that the Herakleion Navtex station has the authority to broadcast Navtex messages in the area.

Yesterday, Turkey said that will extend the stay of its Oruc Reis survey vessel and two other ships in a disputed area of the eastern Mediterranean until Oct. 27, in a move likely to further escalate tensions in the region.

Two other vessels, the Ataman and Cengiz Han along with Oruc Reis will continue work in an area southeast of the Greek island of Rhodes until Oct. 27, Turkey’s Navy said in a maritime notice. The vessels had previously been scheduled to work until Oct. 22.

Ankara had withdrawn Oruc Reis from last month to “allow for diplomacy” before a European Union summit at which Cyprus sought sanctions against Turkey, but sent it back this month, prompting an angry rebuke from Greece, France and Germany.

After the summit the bloc said it would punish Turkey if it continued its operations in the region, in a move Ankara said further strained Turkey-EU ties. Turkey says its operations are within its continental shelf.