FM Gerapetritis refutes Turkish narrative around south Aegean incident
Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, in an interview with Real FM on Thursday, refuted the Turkish claim that Athens has accepted Turkey’s expansionist demands in the southern Aegean following this week’s incident.
Gerapetritis emphasized that the electrical connection project between Greece and Cyprus is approved by the European Union and that surveys must be conducted before laying the submarine cable.
He clarified that there has been no deviation from the original plans and that Greece has demonstrated its ability to conduct surveys beyond its territorial waters, within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“The survey was carried out in full accordance with the original plan,” Gerapetritis stated, adding, “The survey was conducted not only in our territorial waters but also in the international waters of the Greek EEZ.”
He noted that after Turkey signed a maritime zones memorandum with the Tripoli government of Libya, it has claimed sovereign rights over an expanded area in the eastern Mediterranean. Gerapetritis asserted that Greece firmly rejects these claims.
“[Turkey] aimed to convey that no surveys could be conducted by Greece and Cyprus in this area. We remain resolute. We declared that the survey would continue and be completed, which is precisely what happened,” Gerapetritis said, adding that the surveys were completed without any close encounters with conflict.
“There was no risk of a ‘hot incident,’ and ultimately the survey was completed. If I may say so, this is not a retreat but rather the opposite,” Gerapetritis said.
On Thursday, Turkish Defense Ministry sources said that the Turkish Navy had warned and prevented the Ievoli Relume from entering Turkish maritime jurisdiction. They also thanked the Greek and Italian authorities for allegedly respecting Turkey’s maritime claims and cooperating.
On Tuesday, Turkish naval vessels gathered near the islands of Kassos and Karpathos while the Italian research vessel Ievoli Relume conducted studies for an underwater power link between Crete and Cyprus. Despite being authorized by Greece, Turkish warships warned the ship that it had entered waters claimed by Turkey as part of its continental shelf. By Wednesday, the Ievoli Relume had completed its research and departed for Iraklio, Crete, following diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.
