Turkey extends search for gas near Greek islands by another week

The Turkish government announced on Thursday the extension until October 27th of the search for gas in waters over which it claims exploitation rights near the Greek island of Kastellorizo.

The seismic exploration vessel Oruç Reis, along with two other vessels, will carry out explorations west of Kastellorizo over the next five days, the government announced through the Navtex maritime warning service.

The dispute over the delimitation of maritime exclusive economic zones (EEZs) between Turkey and Greece is going through one of its worst moments, despite the diplomatic efforts of several European countries to calm tensions in the eastern Mediterranean.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry last night rejected as "unfounded accusations" the statement by the leaders of Cyprus, Greece and Egypt, who again condemned Turkey's activities in the eastern Mediterranean.

At a summit in Nicosia, these three countries accused Turkey of "endangering the stability" of the region with a series of "illegal actions".