Amid heightened tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean Turkish president Recep Erdogan has said that Greece 'will pay a heavy price' if any Turkish ships are attacked.
"We have told Greece if you attack our Oruc Reis, you will pay a heavy price. And they got their first answer today."
Turkey is at present seeking to expand its search for oil within territorial waters claimed by both Greece and Cyprus. The threat comes after a Turkish ship was damaged while being escorted by a Greek frigate in the Aegean. The incident was believed to be an accident, it has however done little to ease tensions. Similarly, it was reported recently that Greek naval ships discovered Turkish submarines in or near its territory last month and repelled them using high pitched sounds, which caused the Turkish submarines to retreat.
Erdogan has sought to bolster the Turkish economy, and support among his ultra-conservative voter base by expanding into the region and seeking to set up oil extraction facilities. At present, both Greek and Turkish naval forces are out in force in the Aegean. Both Greece and the EU reject Turkey's right to drill within the region.
There are long-held hostilities between the two countries and many territorial disputes regarding islands in the Aegean. In 1974 Turkey invaded Cyprus, then part of Greece, and continues to occupy the north of the country. The occupation is not recognised by the United Nations or any other country in the international community.
Erdogan held talks with Angela Merkel on Thursday, where it was stated that she prefers that all disputes take place within the framework of international law and that they are resolved through dialogue and reason. Merkel had previously brokered talks in July after which Turkey temporarily stopped their drilling operations.
It is believed though that these talks fell through when Egypt, an opponent of Turkey, and Greece, made an agreement to start their own hydrocarbon exploration activities.
France has said that the EU must stand up against Turkey and has sent its own naval forces towards the Aegean to deter further Turkish incursion. With French President Emmanuel Macron saying his military would:
"Monitor the situation in the region and mark its determination to uphold international law."
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