GSI continues on its eventful path.
For the second consecutive week, the Turkish Ministry of Defense has issued warnings that it will take action if the French ship proceeds with its research off the coast of Kasos.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“Any activity involving the laying of cables or pipelines or scientific research to be conducted on our continental shelf must be coordinated in advance with our country. Within the framework of the rights and responsibilities arising from our status as a coastal state, we will not permit any unauthorized activity on our continental shelf in the Eastern Mediterranean.”
Turkish Ministry of Defense
Athens continues to reject Turkey’s claim, though it remains unclear how far Ankara will go if it responds with warships, as it did in 2024.
“There is no question of a permit. The project will proceed as planned according to the original schedule, and nothing more needs to be said beyond what we have stated so far, which remains fully valid. No permit will be requested for such a project.”
Pavlos Marinakis – Government Spokesperson of Greece
New NAVTEX
At the same time, Turkey is bringing the policy of illegal NAVTEX messages back into the spotlight and is once again deploying the Oruç Reis off the coast of Cyprus, as it continues its plans to construct a bidirectional natural gas pipeline connecting the occupied territories with the southern Turkish coast.
As reported, the Oruç Reis will be accompanied by three other vessels for scientific research and underwater operations, with the NAVTEX issued by the Antalya Hydrographic Station remaining in effect until October 26.
Diplomatic sources in Athens state that these actions are part of an ongoing effort to consolidate the fait accompli of the occupation, clearly violate the rules of international law, undermine confidence-building, and work against regional stability.
Turkish media place this development in the same context as the tensions surrounding the GSI and the planned seabed surveys off the coast of Kasos, citing a broader energy standoff in the eastern Mediterranean.
Watch the report by Neoklis Neokleous:
