Turkey and Greece agree to hold talks on exploration in the eastern Mediterranean

Turkey and Greece have agreed to hold talks on exploration rights in a disputed area in the eastern Mediterranean.

Greece said preliminary talks would begin soon in the Turkish city of Istanbul.

France urged Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to enter into negotiations and not take any action that aggravates the situation.

Concerns escalated last month when Ankara sent a reconnaissance ship, accompanied by warships, to an area near a Greek island.

And the countries of the neighboring NATO alliance have conducted war exercises and intensified their rhetoric over the recent period. This week, however, the pitch fell, raising hopes for a diplomatic solution.

On Tuesday, Erdogan said in a tripartite videoconference that included German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the President of the European Council, Charles Michael, that Greece and Turkey were ready to start “preliminary talks.”

The Greek chancellor confirmed the approval of the talks and said they could take place soon in Istanbul, without specifying a date.

Turkey and Greece have had previous talks on the disputed area, the most recent in 2016.

Ankara says it has the largest coastline of all the eastern Mediterranean countries, but it has a disproportionate share of the sea due to the Greek islands, some of which are within sight of the Turkish coast.

But Athens says its position is based on international law and previous agreements signed by Ankara.

Turkish officials insisted that their drillship would be operational again. Turkey has also extended the mission of another research ship in the disputed waters off Cyprus, until October 18.

“Frank dialogue”

France and Greece have demanded the imposition of severe sanctions on Ankara, and the demands can be approved during the European Union summit on October 1-2.

Erdogan and Emmanuel Macron exchanged harsh criticism for weeks on the issue, and Turkey accused the French president of arrogance and despair after asking the European Union to take a firm stance.

France also enraged Turkey after sending planes and warships to the region in support of Greece.

Despite this, the French and Turkish presidents spoke by phone Tuesday night in their first contact since the outbreak of tension.

French officials said Macron asked his Turkish counterpart to avoid taking any action that could inflame tension and to “unambiguously commit to building a space for peace and cooperation in the Mediterranean.”

The Turkish side made it clear that Erdogan told Macron that he expects “common sense and a constructive attitude” from France, and that he supports dialogue and cooperation to solve problems.

Erdogan had requested a video link to the United Nations General Assembly, for an “open dialogue” to resolve the dispute.