Turkey Extends Oruç Reis' Research Activities in Eastern Med. to Nov. 14

On Sunday, Turkey has issued another navigational NAVTEX to extend the seismic research activities of the Oruç Reis survey vessel until Nov. 14.

According to an announcement on Sunday, two other vessels, the Ataman and Cengiz Han, will accompany Oruç Reis during its activities,  ignoring Greek warnings such moves undercut efforts to resolve their dispute.

It will conduct various geological, geophysical, hydrographic and oceanographic surveys, especially of the continental shelf, while also searching for natural resources.

NATO members Turkey and Greece are at odds over conflicting claims to hydrocarbon resources in the Eastern Mediterranean and overlapping views on the extent of their continental shelves.

Athens says Ankara is breaking international law by prospecting in Greek waters.

Turkey in August sent the ship into the disputed zone, alarming both Cyprus and Greece, which carried out military drills in response.

Tensions subsided after Turkey withdrew the ship in mid-September for what it said was maintenance work and agreed to exploratory talks with Greece.

But Ankara sent the ship back into the area on October 12, angering Greece which said there could be no talks until it is withdrawn.