Tensions Rise Again in Aegean Sea

Greece has asked for an extension of the NAVTEX until tomorrow (July 24) to finalize the procedure of its vessel Ievoli Relume in the Aegean Sea. This request comes in response to Turkey's actions in attempting to enforce the Turkey-Libya Memorandum and asserting its claims over Greek continental shelf areas.

According to the Greek Protothema newspaper, the vessel Ievoli Relume is conducting research for cable laying in the area. Turkey has responded by sending five units of the Turkish Navy to the region, which have requested the ship to halt its operations, claiming that it is in "Turkish continental shelf" waters.

So far, there has been no attempt to obstruct the ship. The Greek Navy corvette Aetos, the frigate Nikiforos Fokas, and a Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel are monitoring the area.

The Greek newspaper noted that the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working to de-escalate a situation that has arisen in the area south of Kasos and Karpathos.

Since Monday afternoon, a diplomatic alert has been issued in Athens. Diplomatic efforts are being made to prevent escalation and de-escalate the situation through communication channels so that the operations of the Ievoli Relume can be completed.

The Greek newspaper also asserted that the vessel is conducting its research within Greek territorial waters, except for one point approximately half a mile outside these waters in international waters, which is still within the potential Greek continental shelf and even within the potential 12 nautical miles of Greek territorial waters.

However, Turkey has rushed to enforce the Turkey-Libya Memorandum by sending military ships to the area, which could lead to escalation.