The Greek fleet in the Aegean is on high alert, after the escalation of the Turkish provocation yesterday early in the afternoon, where NAVTEX was issued for seismic surveys in Kastelorizo.
According to ERT, the release of the Turkish Navtex from the Antalya hydroelectric station, within the Greek and Cypriot continental shelf, raises alarm in the Greek government and the armed forces.
Turkey with NAVTEX, blocks an area south of Kastelorizo from today Tuesday 21/7 until August 2 for seismic and hydrographic surveys by the vessel Oruc Reis.
At the same time, according to sources in the Greek Ministry of Defense, cited by KYPE, 85% of the Greek fleet is in the Aegean, closely monitoring the movements of the Turkish fleet. The units of the land army have been put on high alert both in Evros and in the remote islands of the Aegean.
The same sources estimate that Ankara is waging a "war of nerves", which is likely to intensify until July 24, the date on which the first prayer in Hagia Sophia is scheduled.
The meetings in Maximou and the Pentagon are continuous, while the units of the army and the navy are on alert with the revocation of licenses of permanent officers serving on the ships.
Greek and American YPAM: International rules must be observed in the Eastern Mediterranean
Meanwhile, the need for international rules to be observed and for all parties to act with restraint in the Eastern Mediterranean was emphasized during their telephone conversation by the Minister of National Defense, Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, and the US Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper. According to a Pentagon statement, "As far as the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa are concerned, the two ministers agreed that all parties must abide by international rules and exercise restraint."
During the telephone conversation, the strong defense relationship between the United States and Greece was confirmed, while the American minister thanked Mr. Panagiotopoulos for the hospitality of the American forces in the Gulf of Souda and for the strong bilateral cooperation.
"This is marked, most recently, by the update of the US-Greece Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement last October, which creates opportunities for further deepening of Greek-US defense cooperation and for the promotion of regional security and stability," the US State Department said in a statement. Defense.
In addition, the two ministers discussed issues of mutual security in Southeast Europe and across the southern NATO wing, including Russia's malicious influence and growing concerns about China's behavior.
Finally, Mark Esper praised Greece for exceeding NATO's defense spending targets, which, according to the Pentagon, is a vital investment in strengthening the alliance.
US: "Disputed waters"
"The United States is aware that Turkey has issued a NAVTEX for research into disputed waters in the Eastern Mediterranean. "We call on the Turkish authorities to stop any plans they have for businesses and to avoid moves that would increase tensions in the region," said a State Department spokesman.
Source: Sigmalive