Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and his German counterpart, Heiko Maas, discussed the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean in light of the tensions caused by Turkey's drilling activity in the region, a spokesperson for the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Thursday

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean during a videoconference, the office of the Turkish leader said on Wednesday

Turkish forces have conducted a search and rescue exercise off the coast of Libya, involving a frigate and a helicopter, the Turkish Defense Ministry said on Friday

French President Emmanuel Macron said the heads of the Southern Countries of the European Union bloc, also known as the Med7 were willing to conduct a responsible dialogue with Turkey in the wake of toughened Eastern Mediterranean tensions

The Turkish Foreign Ministry has condemned French President Emmanuel Macron's "arrogant" remarks regarding the EU's policy towards Ankara amid an escalation between Turkey and Greece in the Eastern Mediterranean, saying they endanger the bloc's interests, Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Thursday

As France mulls over a deal to send 18 Rafale fighter jets to Greece amid its deteriorated relations with Turkey, experts believe the move is explained by the conflicting policies of France and Turkey in Libya, as well as by Paris trying to support its fellow EU state, but could further exacerbate tensions in the Mediterranean