Turkey re-sends seismic vessel to east Med

Turkey Monday issued a new Navigation Telex (NAVTEX) for seismic surveys in the eastern Mediterranean to be conducted by its vessel Oruc Reis, a move escalating tension with Greece.

The seismic research vessel reached the operation area after departing from the city of Antalya for its new mission in the Mediterranean, Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Donmez tweeted.

He emphasized that the search activities of Turkey in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea will continue nonstop for achieving the country's energy independence.

Oruc Reis and two auxiliary vessels would be conducting exploratory drilling until Aug. 23.

Turkey's act came after Greece and Egypt last week signed a maritime border agreement, after Turkey had suspended its seismic survey plans in the eastern Mediterranean for ongoing talks with Greece.

Germany mediated for the negotiations aiming to resolve differences of the two neighbors regarding hydrocarbon resources in the region. The Greek-Egyptian deal led Ankara to halt the talks and resume drilling activities in the region.

Greece and Turkey are at odds over hydrocarbon rights in the Eastern Mediterranean.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)