Turkey and Greece almost come to the brink of war due to rights on the Aegean Sea
Tensions between Turkey and Greece have been at their most tense level in recent years. In fact so much so that in recent weeks the two countries have almost come to the brink of war in the Aegean Sea. The German Press reported on what happened at the time and shared many details.
The events escalated rapidly when Turkey’s research ship, Oruç Reis, launched a research expedition to explore hydrocarbon pots 180 kilometers off MEIS Island. Down below are details pertaining to the warm hours of July 21st, when both countries were very close to confrontation in the Aegean Sea region.
– When the Oruç Reis research ship moved south of Meis, the Greek jets took off. On top of that, Turkish F-16s flew in and around Meis for exactly 2.5 hours. This was a record because the crossings of fighter jets took no more than 3-5 minutes. Speaking to German media, Meis Island Deputy Mayor said: “We have never seen anything like this. These flights would always end in a few minutes.”
– The Greek navy was on alert and Greek warships from Salamis Naval Base were on their way to the eastern Aegean. Turkey gave the harshest response. From AKSAZ (naval base) 18 warships started sailing to Meis. Turkey was allegedly right under international law because the islands did not have exclusive economic zones.
– Greek Prime Minister Micotakis was panicked and immediately called German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The United States, which stepped in during the Kardak crisis (in the past) was quiet this time. Merkel seemed to be the only remedy. Merkel called Erdogan and asked him to “give diplomacy a chance.” The operation was halted minutes before the hot clash.
– A tripartite mechanism was created by Berlin’s initiatives. Ibrahim KALIN, top adviser to the president, and Jan Hecker, Merkel’s foreign policy adviser, met Eleni Sourani, head of the diplomacy Department of the Greek Prime Minister’s office, once. A decision was made to meet again for a diplomatic solution.
source: sozcu.com.tr/2020/dunya/son-dakika-yunanistanla-savasin-esiginden-donusun-perde-arkasi-5965429/
