[ad_1]
From the tension relief mechanism and the explorations that were going to be repeated to find points of contact between Athens and Ankara, with brief procedures the Greek-Turkish relations returned – with Turkey’s fault – to escalation, with analysts pointing out that their mission Oruc Reis because exploration south of Kastellorizo is more threatening than ever.
Indeed, the fact that this move comes after persistent efforts by the international community to bring Athens and Ankara to the negotiating table shows the contempt with which Erdogan treats the great powers, who were waiting for measures to unload the power. situation.
The attitude of the “sultan” confirms that, not only is the confrontation with Greece his objective and his choice, but that he is practically indifferent towards Europe despite the fact that he knows that there are scenarios – even distant – of sanctions.
Ankara is pushing this treaty and trying to create a consummate situation, whereby Athens will not be able to exercise its legal rights either by expanding its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles or by annihilating the Greek continental shelf and EEZ. In fact, if Turkey conducts an investigation into 6.5 nautical miles from Kastellorizo, a plan included in the illegal NAVTEX, it means reducing Greece’s ability to have a continental shelf and an EEZ beyond 6 miles to zero, which it is an official Turkish position.
The crucial question, therefore, is how far the Oruc Reis will go and whether it will eventually violate the 6-12 nautical miles from Kastellorizo, where the “red” line is for Athens. 
The mystery with its course
On Tuesday afternoon, as reported by the Turkish media as part of the propaganda mechanism, the Turkish researcher sailed 22-25 nautical miles from Kastellorizo, within the limits of the Greek continent, accompanied by warships.
In fact, the same media reported that the process of laying cables has begun to proceed with the investigations, however Athens denied the information.
In any case, the laying of cables does not imply the initiation of investigations. However, as diplomatic sources point out, it is being investigated whether the low speed of the ship is related to the laying of cables, while it is also being investigated whether the weather conditions in the area allow the Turks to initiate investigations.
However, from the first moment that Oruc Reis’s fate in the area was known, he gave an alarm signal to the Greek ships and submarines to discreetly monitor him, while at the same time the Air Forces are on alert.
The next few hours are particularly crucial as it will be clear whether Ankara intends to pull the strings or whether it will engage in a war of nerves against Athens with Oruc Reis “cutting paths” on the Greek continental shelf, in an attempt to change the terms. of gambling and blackmail European Union – Greece. 
Reversal of reality
At the diplomatic level, however, Ankara, by going black and white, is trying to hold Athens responsible for the impending wreck of exploratory contacts.
More specifically, in a six-page file titled: “Greece’s Escalation Steps in the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean Sea since September 12” and related photos, Turkey gives its own explanation of the reasons for the escalation, addressing to “justify” the new departure of the seismographic research vessel Oruc Reis.
In fact, on his Twitter account, the Turkish Foreign Minister has attached to the State Department, the European External Action Service, Josep Borrell, Charles Michel and the European Council. 
In the document, Ankara cites, among other things:
1. The joint Greece-United States military exercises between September 14 and 18 in Thrace, where the “Turkish minority in Greece” lives.
2. The NAVTEX issued on September 15 by Greece for the military exercises in Chios “which is under a demilitarization regime” and the corresponding exercises in Lemnos which “is also under the same regime”.
3. The Turkish Foreign Ministry also accuses Greece of air exercises in Chios, Kos and Rhodes and in the NOTAM issued between 27 and 2 October, which “also affected the freedom of aviation.”
4. Ankara also complains about the widespread and geographically widespread NAVTEX issued by Greece in the Aegean, citing “examples”.
5. Turkey’s Foreign Minister also states that, in addition to violations of “demilitarized” zones, Greece also violates the 1988 bilateral moratorium by defining two separate exercises for October 29, which is Turkey’s National Day. , prompting the corresponding response. from Ankara for October 28.
6. Finally, the Turkish Foreign Ministry blames Greece for the recent NOTAM between October 13-18 because it covers the Oruc Reis area of activity, while also protesting the information that it wants Greece to acquire UAVs from Israel for use in the region.
Greece’s staggered steps in the eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea from September 12, 2020.@Department of State @eu_eeas @JosepBorrellF@eucopresident@eucouncilhttps://t.co/qdbWwPjMfG
– Turkish MFA (@MFATurkey) October 13, 2020
Details contained in this document:
According to the Turkish Foreign Minister: “The Oruc Reis arrived at the port of Antalya on September 12, 2020 for routine work and resupply. Together with the Oruc Reis, the ships of our Navy that accompanied it for self-defense purposes returned, also in a maintenance program. “Immediately after the return of Oruc Reis, Greece deployed naval forces on the island of Kastellorizo on September 13, 2020. Since then, several forces have been stationed in Kastellorizo.”
Ankara then states that from September 14 to 18, “Greece and the United States carried out joint military exercises in Western Thrace, where the Turkish minority lives in Greece. The Leopard tanks of the Greek Armed Forces together with the American M1 Abrams tanks conducted exercises near Petrochori, a village in Xanthi “and, despite Turkish calls for the cancellation of the exercises in a period of tension,” the exercise proceeded normally. “
Furthermore, on September 15, according to Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Greece issued NAVTEX for military exercises in Chios, which “is in a state of demilitarization.”
Ankara continues, stating that Greece continues to conduct live-fire exercises in and around the island of Lemnos from September 23-24, 2020, while in reality this island should be demilitarized.
In the same vein, Turkey points out that Greece conducted aerial exercises around the demilitarized islands of Chios, Kos and Rhodes, while also issuing NOTAMs for exercises between September 27 and October 2, 2020, which greatly affected freedom of movement. international airspace. 
Then, on October 1, Greece announced that military exercises would be held in the Eastern Mediterranean in areas south of Kastellorizo, one on October 6, 2020 and the other on October 8, 2020.
According to Ankara, “Greece constantly issues naval warnings in the Aegean Sea, which refer to a long period, as well as a large area of international airspace. This time another NOTAM (A2931 / 20) was announced for the activities of the Navy. and the Air Force, which included fire drills throughout the Aegean Sea between November 11 and December 29, 2020. “
Furthermore, on October 8, another fire drill was announced on Lesbos “covering an area on the outskirts of Turkey”. “In another violation of the demilitarized situation of the eastern Aegean islands, exercises were announced on October 9 from October 12 to 16 on the island of Chios, while the same applies to the island of Lesbos at the same time,” Turkey said.
Turkey then launches a new attack on Greece, adding that “along with continuing violations of the demilitarization regime, Greece is also violating the 1988 Athens Agreement, which stipulates that both countries will refrain from military exercises.” on national and religious days. “
That is, as Ankara notes, Athens issued naval warnings for two separate exercises scheduled for October 29, 2020, that is, Turkey Republic Day, and in response, Turkey announced military exercises on October 28, 2020, on their anniversary. NOT”.
According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Greece has once again started to provoke tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, with the issuance of a new NOTAM for military activities between October 13 and 18, a period in which Oruc Reis will lead to carry out its activities in the region in general (October 12-22, 2020).
Finally, Turkey declares that our country plans to acquire unmanned vehicles from Israel and intends to develop them in the region, concluding that Athens is responsible for the escalation of the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, while these developments show Greece’s ulterior motives. . on the eve of exploratory talks.
[ad_2]
