Following a tense naval incident in the Aegean Sea, Turkey and Greece found themselves on the brink of renewed conflict. The Turkish fleet surrounded Greek islands Kassos and Karpathos, alleging a violation of their continental shelf by a Greek research vessel. Turkey, however, claimed to have authorized the research ship’s activities and accused Greece of issuing an invalid navigational warning.
The situation threatened to unravel the recent peace between the two nations and resurrected long-standing disputes over maritime boundaries. Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis dismissed Turkey’s claims, particularly regarding a controversial Turkish-Libyan maritime agreement. He emphasized that the research vessel had operated within Greek waters and left upon completing its mission, not due to Turkish approval.
Despite mixed messages from Turkish authorities, with the National Security Council advocating for dialogue and the Defense Ministry expressing gratitude for cooperation, tensions remain high in the region. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing territorial disputes in the Aegean and Mediterranean, underscoring the fragile nature of relations between Turkey and Greece.