Nicosia and Athens are closely monitoring developments and waiting to see whether Ankara’s change in tone following Hakan Fidan’s statements on de-escalation is a bluff or not.
The next 24 hours will be critical. The Cypriot and Greek Armed Forces are on full alert to address any possible scenario on the ground ahead of the Abeille Marengo’s departure from Heraklion.
The most sensitive area lies between Kasos and the Cypriot EEZ, where a tense incident was threatened in the summer of 2024. If Turkey attempts to send vessels to the area and obstruct the project once again, this will become apparent once the Abeille Marengo sails east of Cape Sidero in Crete.
TASOS HATZIVASILIOU, Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs: “It is not
in the interest of any country in the region to provoke tension in the area. If, hypothetically, something like that were to happen, Greece would obviously not just sit back and watch developments unfold. We have a plan for everything.”
The research vessel will be monitored from a distance by Greek frigates and drones that will transmit live footage to operations centers, to determine whether Turkish ships intend to move from the Aksaz naval base to the area where the French ship is conducting research.
TGRT: “The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement regarding Turkey’s cancellation of the NAVTEX notices that had been issued by Greece and Cyprus.”
Turkish television is also adding fuel to the fire by presenting scenarios in which Greek warships are surrounded and neutralized by units of the Turkish Navy.
A Haber: “Turkish
ships will approach and issue warnings. Turkish forces could surround the ships and gradually restrict their range of movement.”
According to the scenario presented, the Greek naval units would be forced to inform their command in Crete and request instructions on whether to remain or withdraw.
A Haber: “
“If Greek forces are ordered to remain and resist, Turkish forces could resort to the use of force.”
Tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean are rising, as a Turkish AKINCI UAV was observed conducting repeated surveillance flights on a mission to monitor maritime activity south of Karpathos.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Report by Christoforos Nestoros
