Turkey invites Greece to resume dialogues over maritime conflicts in east Mediterranean

To reduce tensions and dispute over maritime borders and energy rights in eastern Mediterranean, Turkey invited Greece to resume talks on Monday, January 11. According to reports, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu extended an invitation to Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias regarding a meeting to discuss ir relations.

 Turkish Foreign Minister said, "Today... we want to extend an open invitation to Greece. We invite Greece to start exploratory talks, with first meeting being held in January".

This comes after Turkey vowed to improve ties with countries of European Union. Cavusoglu furr said that Turkey will be hosting talks at a date that will be mutually decided. se talks will be 61st round of a long-running process of negotiations between Greece and Turkey and aim at improving relations between rival nations. 

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Conflict between both nations 

Turkish and Greek foreign ministers last met in month of October while attending a conference in Slovakia and reached an agreement to set up a date for a new round of negotiations between two countries. NATO allies have been locked in conflict over maritime boundaries in eastern Mediterranean as warships from both sides stand guard.

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Tensions between Greece and Turkey escalated after Ankara sent research vessels to look for resources in region.  research boats were accompanied by warships, which upset Greek side, who immediately asked Turkey to withdraw vessels.

Greece, in turn, n sent its own warships to region stoking fear of conflict among regional partners. European Union h warned Ankara of possible sanctions for its actions in eastern Mediterranean. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has urged Ankara to maintain peace and regional stability and "abstain from unilateral actions" in eastern Mediterranean region. 

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(With AP Inputs)