Turkey’s deployment last month of an earthquake research ship with warships in the East Mediterranean near the island of Castelllorizo fueled the current crisis with Greece.
A day before U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s arrival in the country, Greece condemned the demolition of a Greek flag mural on the island of Castellorizo on Sunday.
The tiny Greek island, just 2 km (1.2 miles) off the coast of Turkey, lies in disputed waters, causing tensions between Turkey and Greece.
Despite repeated protests by Athens and the European Union, Turkey’s deployment in the last month of an earthquake research ship with warships in the Eastern Mediterranean near Castelorizo is at the center of the latest crisis.
On the island on Saturday, officials noticed a large red mural of the Greek flag smelling red, painted on a hill near its harbor.
“We strongly condemn the desecration of the Greek flag at Castellorizo yesterday. The Greek Foreign Ministry said in a statement that such “unacceptable measures” were aimed at undermining tensions between the two countries.
“We expect immediate condemnation by Turkish authorities and an immediate investigation into the incident, so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice.”
There are also reports of drones playing Turkish songs on the island on Saturday.
Turkish network contract TV showed video footage from a damaged painting drone, while Greek media reported that the responsibility for the sabotage in the network lay with “Turkish engineers” who threw “100 kg of red paint on the Greek flag”.
‘Positive First Step’
On August 10, Turkish Navy ships sailed a water exploration ship south of Castellorizo.
Four days earlier, Athens angered Ankara after signing an agreement with Cairo on their respective maritime economic zones, claiming that the waters surrounding the island were under Greek sovereignty.
Under pressure from European and NATO allies, Turkey called the research ship a “positive first step” by the Greek prime minister.
The tone has recently softened with both NATO members, Greece and Turkey, agreeing to start research talks on the dispute.
US Secretary of State Pompeo is due to visit Greece on Monday with strong signals of support. A U.S. official said he would focus on building ties with Greece but also support diplomacy with Turkey.
Pompeo spoke with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Sunday about tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
On his way to Greece, Pompeo said he was looking forward to meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg today to discuss the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and to reiterate the importance of the unity of the NATO alliance.
NATO members have further strained relations between Greece and Turkey over long-running disputes this year, including maritime boundaries and energy rights. France is raising its voice in support of Greece and the post-EU sanctions call.
Greek frigate takes part in a military exercise in the East Mediterranean in August [Greek defence ministry via AFP]
Pompeo is on the first leg of a five-day trip to Europe, which includes visits to Italy, the Vatican and Croatia. This is the first visit of the US Secretary of State to Thessaloniki.
According to a State Department background briefing, Pompeo will meet with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister Nikos Dandias to renew the two countries’ shared commitment to advancing security, peace and prosperity in the East Mediterranean. – will celebrate the strongest relationship in Greek relations. Decades.
On Monday, Pompeo will meet with Dandias, sign a bilateral science and technology agreement, as well as business leaders from the host energy sector to discuss energy diversification and publishing infrastructure projects in Greece. He will join members of the city’s Jewish community in memory of Yom Kippur.
Pompeo will leave Monday after Monday to visit two of the NATO deals. He will visit the facilities on Tuesday and later have lunch with the nearby residence Mitsotakis. The two will issue a joint statement.
The US Secretary of State will leave Greece for Rome early Wednesday morning.
