The oceanographic vessel will conduct “scientific research” from October 4 to 14 — Greece responds with a counter-NAVTEX
Turkey is once again testing Greek-Turkish relations, only days after the controversial cancellation of the planned Mitsotakis–Erdogan meeting in New York.
Ankara has issued a new NAVTEX announcing that the “Piri Reis” research vessel will carry out scientific surveys from October 4 to 14 across a broad area, extending even into the central Aegean, fully covering parts of the potential Greek continental shelf as well as areas under Greek responsibility for NAVTEX issuance.
The Turkish NAVTEX covers a maritime zone stretching from Thasos to Chios, Ai Stratis, Mykonos, Ikaria, and the Fournoi islands.
The announced research involves both Turkish territorial waters and international waters, but includes zones that fall within Greece’s potential continental shelf.
Late on Thursday, Greece issued its own counter-NAVTEX, valid until October 25, stressing that the Turkish notice illegally encompasses areas within the Greek continental shelf and Athens’ NAVTEX responsibility zone.
