Turkey is prolonging seismic investigation work in the eastern Mediterranean

Turkey declared that it was prolonging the seismic survey work of its Oruc Reis vessel in a contested area of the eastern Mediterranean until Nov. 29, in a step that could increase tensions in the region.

It should be noted that NATO members Turkey and Greece are in conflict about the extent of their continental shelves and contrasting demands for hydrocarbon resources in the eastern Mediterranean. The conflict started in August when Turkey dispatch Oruc Reis into waters also demanded by Greece and Cyprus.

On Saturday, A Turkish naval maritime notice related that with two other ships, the Ataman and Cengiz Han, Oruc Reis would continue its work in an area west of Cyprus.

Ankara withdrew the ship in September to allow for diplomacy with Greece; however, it then sent back the vessel to the area, which provoking an angry reaction from Greece, France, and Germany. It’s expected that the vessel would finish its work by November 23