Misunderstanding prompts Turkey to deploy four frigates to southern part of the Aegean Sea yesterday near the islands of Kasos and Karpathos, reported this morning in. “Kathimerini“.
Turkish Navy ships were already in the area for the final phase of a military exercise when they were ordered to check rumors that the Italian ship “Yevoli Relume” conducts research in the area, the Greek publication writes.
The move by the Turkish Navy baffled Greek authorities as the Italian vessel was north of the island of Crete without a NAVTEX navigational telex issued. The Italian ship was at the center of a 40-hour crisis between Greece and Turkey in July, again off the island of Kasos, Kathimerini recalls.
The presence of Turkish warships prompted Greece to send two warships to monitor the situation, but they did not approach the Turkish ones.
The crisis was quickly resolved through diplomatic channels, and the Turkish ships left the area later in the day, Kathimerini reports.
Indicative of Turkey's overreaction are also four violations of Greek airspace in the southeastern part of the Aegean Sea by a CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft, an unmanned aerial vehicle and two helicopters participating in Turkish military exercises, the Greek newspaper notes.
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Turkey's reaction underscores its sensitivity regarding any activity or discussion related to the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkey has territorial claims in the Aegean Sea and asserts alleged rights in the Eastern Mediterranean, recalls “Kathimerini”.
Greece has established an exclusive economic zone with Egypt in the area south of Kasos and Karpathos, which is in accordance with international and maritime law. However, Turkey claims influence based on a controversial and legally dubious memorandum between Turkey and Libya, Kathimerini recalls.
Despite the misunderstanding, the incident highlights the importance of direct and diplomatic communication between Ankara and Athens in order to prevent similar escalations in the future, the Greek newspaper also noted.