International community warn Turkey against natural gas mission near Greece

The US State Department has called on Turkey to halt plans for seismic activities in an area of sea between Cyprus and Crete.

“The US is deeply concerned about Turkey’s stated plans to survey for natural resources in areas over which Greece and Cyprus asserts jurisdiction in the Eastern Mediterranean. We are concerned about actions that are provocative and raise tensions in the region,” Philip Reeker, Acting Assistant Secretary of European and Eurasian Affairs at the US Department of State, was quoted as saying by Greek media.

“This is a complex strategic space. I will repeat the message we have given before from Washington, as well as elsewhere in Europe, urging Turkish authorities to hold operations that raise tensions. We will continue to raise this message,” he said, according to the same reports.

Turkey must stop drilling for natural resources in waters in the eastern Mediterranean if there is to be progress in EU-Turkey ties, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Tuesday.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said last week that Turkey would start seismic research and drilling operations in contested waters that are covered by an agreement between Ankara and Libya's internationally recognised government.

"Regarding Turkey's drilling in the eastern Mediterranean, we have a very clear position - international law must be respected so progress in EU-Turkey relations is only possible if Ankara stops provocations in the eastern Mediterranean," Maas said during a visit to Athens.

European officials on Thursday warned Turkey against pursuing a survey mission looking for gas reserves near Greek islands in the eastern Mediterranean.

Greece and Cyprus have accused Turkey of undermining their sovereignty by continuing to pursue energy resources within their territorial waters.

"The government is underlining to all parties that Greece will not accept a violation of its sovereignty and will do whatever is necessary to defend its sovereign rights," said Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for sanctions against Turkey, saying it is "not acceptable for the maritime space of a European Union member state to be violated or threatened."

Last year, the EU adopted a sanctions regime targeting Turkey over its unauthorized gas drilling in Cypriot waters.

The instrument provides the EU with a way "to sanction individuals or entities responsible for, or involved in, unauthorized drilling activities of hydrocarbons in the eastern Mediterranean," according to a statement by EU foreign ministers in November.