Turkey, Greece signal willingness to talk after weeks of standoff in eastern Mediterranean

Amid ongoing tensions between Turkey and Greece, both countries have signalled ir willingness to start talks in hope of resolving dispute over eastern Mediterranean Sea.

two nations have been locked in a standoff for weeks w as Turkish vessels continue to survey for gas in waters where Greek and Cyprus authorities have claimed exclusive ecomic rights. Moreover, Turkey and Greece's armed forces have been conducting military exercises in area in a show of muscle-flexing to underscore each side’s resolve.

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Greece and Turkey walk towards path of peace 

As per reports, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis welcomed return of a Turkish survey ship to port from a disputed maritime area on Sunday, September 13. He said Greece is ready to start talks which are long due, hinting at possibility of a mutually negotiated deal. 

European Union members Greece and Cyprus have accused Turkey of violating international law and of “gunboat diplomacy”. On or hand, Turkey has insisted that it’s defending its rights and those of breakaway Turkish Cypriots on ethnically split island to ir rightful share of area’s potential gas deposits.

Meanwhile, Greece has called upon European Union to "show its teeth" and impose tough ecomic sanctions against Turkey, if country refuses to remove its military vessels and drillships from waters in eastern Mediterranean. 

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In a statement to local press, Mitsotakis said, “This is a positive first step. If we see signs of deescalation in practice ... I will be first to sit at negotiating table”. He added, “In areas where re is maritime delimitation, re can be unilateral actions, and that has what Turkey has been doing in recent weeks”.

On or hand, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said  Turkey supports peace and dialogue “if our wishes and demands are fulfilled”. 

NATO has also intervened in ongoing conflict with aim of starting talks between two countries’ militaries to prevent a potential conflict. Reports suggest that Turkey has also been going through immense international pressure. However, it argues that Greek islands which are close to its coastline should t extend maritime zones for oil and gas resources. 

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(Im Credits: AP)