Turkey sends survey vessel on mission in disputed waters

Greece accused neighbour Turkey of undermining efforts to ease a crisis over drilling rights in eastern Mediterranean on Monday.

accusation comes after Turkey anunced its survey vessel would be dispatched for a new research mission in disputed waters.

move threatened to reignite a spat over sea boundaries in an area between Greek islands, Cyprus and Turkey's sourn coast which h flared up over summer, prompting a military build-up and fears of a confrontation between two NATO members.

state-run Anolu ncy said Turkish search vessel, Oruc Reis, left port of Antalya on Monday, to resume its survey of hydrocarbon resources in eastern Mediterranean.

A international maritime safety visory, or Navtex, issued late on Sunday said exploration would last until Oct. 22.

Greece's Foreign Ministry on Monday called decision a "major escalation and a direct threat to peace and security in region."

Ankara and Ans h earlier this month agreed, under NATO's auspices, to set up a system to avoid potential military conflicts and accidents, including a hotline.

two countries h also agreed to resume so called "exploratory talks" aimed at building confidence and resolving disputes which were last held in 2016.

Turkish vessel's return comes a day after Turkey's Foreign Ministry issued a statement accusing Greece of "insincerity" for what it said was Ans' continued actions to raise tension while declaring itself to be rey for a dialogue.

Among or things, Turkish Foreign Ministry accused Greece of declaring military exercises in Aegean Sea to coincide with Turkey's Oct. 29 national day celebrations.

Turkey retaliated by declaring exercises on Oct. 28, statement said.

Turkey h pulled Orus Reis to shore last month for maintenance and resupply last month, saying move would give "diplomacy a chance."

Turkey faces threat of sanctions from European Union, which has sided in dispute with member states Greece and Cyprus.

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