Tension returns between Greece and Turkey

Greece and Turkey are once more returning to the tension after a break of months without conflict. Now Ankara tightens the rope again and throws wood on the fire. On Friday, the Greek media reported that Turkey had sent two new naval warnings to carry out military exercises in the north and east of the Aegean Sea during the next two weeks.

Previously, Greece had warned about the Turkish manoeuvres in the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean. It stressed that it was looking for calm and asked Turkey not to make any unilateral actions, declarations and provocative measures.

The last weeks Athens and Ankara experienced a relative calm and several calls for negotiations between the two countries came in an effort to overcome obstacles, under the indications of some European countries, mainly Germany. 

The relationship between Turkey and Greece became strained a few months ago as a result of Ankara's gas exploitation in areas located in the eastern Mediterranean. This led the European Union to impose sanctions on 10 December for Turkey's illegal and hostile behaviour at sea off Greece and Cyprus.

The two countries have sent warships to the region and conducted live-fire exercises on several occasions in the area of the islands of Cyprus, Crete and the southern coast of Turkey. 

Meanwhile, the simulated battles between Greek and Turkish pilots over the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean have multiplied. This kind of relationship between the two countries has been going on for many years with tensions and problems.

On Tuesday, Turkey once more asked Greece to solve the disputes between the two eastern Mediterranean countries and to hold exploratory and conflict resolution talks.

Meanwhile, Greece and Cyprus continue to denounce the violation of their own maritime borders by Turkey, which is continuing with its expansionist policy in the Mediterranean and seeking to appropriate more hydrocarbon resources.