Erdogan Warns 'heavy Price' If Turkish Ship Attacked
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published August 13, 2020 | 10:50 PM
Ankara, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Aug, 2020 ) :Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday warned of a "heavy price" if a Turkish vessel searching for oil and gas in disputed Mediterranean waters was attacked and hinted that one incident had already occurred.
Existing tensions between Turkey and Greece escalated when Ankara this week sent a ship named Oruc Reis to explore off the Greek island of Kastellorizo on Monday.
Several navy ships accompanied the vessel. Greece responded by sending its own ships to the area to monitor Turkey's activities.
Erdogan appeared to suggest in a speech to members of his ruling party that the Oruc Reis had come under attack during its expedition and that Turkey had responded accordingly.
"We told them, don't you dare attack our Oruc Reis. You will pay a heavy price if you attack our Oruc Reis, we said. And they got their first answer today," Erdogan said.
He provided no detail and immediately moved on to another topic in his wide-ranging address.
In Athens, the Greek defence ministry denied attacking the Turkish ship.
"No incident happened," a Greek defence official told AFP.
Earlier on Thursday, Erdogan held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the European Council chief, Charles Michel, in a bid to defuse the tensions.
Erdogan told Merkel "he prefers disputes in the eastern Mediterranean are resolved within the framework of international law and on the basis of fairness and dialogue," the Turkish presidency said in a statement.
The presidency also said Erdogan insisted to the EU chief that Turkey favoured a solution "which will protect the rights of all countries and benefit everyone" and "reiterated his commitment to defend Turkey's rights against attempts to disregard them." A scramble for the energy riches followed the discovery of hydrocarbon reserves in the eastern Mediterranean, with Greece and Turkey bitterly divided over the issue.
The EU has watched the rising tensions with concern, urging Turkey to stop its exploration activities.
France-Turkey ties have worsened especially after a naval incident in June when Paris accused Turkish ships of being "extremely aggressive" towards a French navy vessel.
The French government earlier on Thursday further stoked tensions after Paris said it would "temporarily" reinforce its military presence in the eastern Mediterranean.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 23 April 2024
Islam enlightened world with its teachings about knowledge: Dr Jamileh
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
2 hours ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
1 day ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
2 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
2 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
2 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
3 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
4 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
8 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
9 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
9 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
12 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
15 days ago