Turkey Withdraws Controversial Exploration Ship Oruç Reis Ahead of EU Summit

On Monday, Turkey decided to withdraw its seismic exploration vessel Oruç Reis from disputed Mediterranean waters, less than two weeks ahead of the European Union summit, in which it is expected that new sanctions will be imposed against Ankara.

The Turkish energy ministry said that the vessel had completed its mission which started on Aug. 10.

"Our ship, which has collected 10,995 km of 2D seismic data, has returned to the Antalya port," it said in a tweet.

In October 2020, Turkey withdrew Oruç Reis from contested waters ahead of a previous EU summit to "allow for diplomacy," but later sent it back after what it called unsatisfactory outcomes from the summit. Earlier this month, Turkey said Oruç Reis would operate in the region until Nov. 29.

NATO members Turkey and Greece have conflicting claims to continental shelves and rights to potential energy resources in the eastern Mediterranean. Tensions flared in August when Ankara sent Oruç Reis to map out energy drilling prospects in waters also claimed by Greece.

After weeks of tension, Ankara and Athens agreed to resume talks over their contested maritime claims in September, ending a 4-year hiatus. But Greece has since said it would not begin talks as long as Turkish vessels were in contested waters.

Last week, Reuters reported that the European Parliament approved a non-binding resolution supporting a request made by Cyprus, a member of the European Union, and urging the leaders of the bloc to “take action and impose severe sanctions” on Turkey, in a move likely to boost support for France’s efforts to impose sanctions on Ankara during the European Union summit next month.

Last month, Turkey supported the partial reopening of Varosha, in a move criticized by the United States, Greece and Greek Cypriots.

A spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Hami Aksoy, condemned the European Parliament’s decision, describing the parliament as “prejudiced and far from reality.”

“If this approach continues and thinking with this mentality, it will be impossible for the European Union bodies to make a constructive contribution to the settlement of the Cyprus issue,” he added.

Cyprus has been pided since a Turkish invasion of the island took place in 1974 after a short military coup at the behest of Greece.

Turkey is the only country that recognizes Northern Cyprus as an independent country, not the Greek Cypriot government in the south, which is the subject of international recognition.