Turkish research vessel enters Greek continental shelf

Turkey’s Oruc Reis research vessel was on Friday spotted within the boundaries of Greece’s continental shelf, Kathimerini reports.

Greek frigate HS Nikiforos Fokas was dispatched to the area to monitor its activity.

The Turkish vessel entered Greece’s continental shelf area at 6.40 a.m. and was operating around 200 km of Kastellorizo island, east of Crete. It is believed that the vessel may have been forced to alter course due to bad weather conditions.

The Oruc Reis was not accompanied by a military vessel.

Turkey had issued a Navigational Telex (Navtex) reserving a maritime area in blocks 4 and 5 of Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).