4 Greek fighter jets flew near a Turkish vessel within the Aegean Sea, the Turkish Protection Ministry mentioned on Tuesday as the 2 nations search to reconcile their variations over the disputed waters with a brand new spherical of talks.
Athens has reportedly denied that it had despatched F-16s to strategy the Cesme analysis boat, which final week was deployed on a scientific mission within the space by the Turkish Navy – a transfer that drew protests from Greece.
Ankara mentioned the Greek jets dropped a chaff flare – used to distract heat-seeking missiles – two nautical miles (3.7 nautical kilometers) from the Cesme, close to the island of Lemnos.
Protection Minister Hulusi Akar mentioned Turkey responded to the alleged harassment with the “crucial retaliation…in step with the principles.”
“Whereas we’re finishing up scientific work, harassment just isn’t acceptable, it’s not befitting of excellent neighborly ties,” he instructed MPs within the Turkish parliament.
In accordance with Greek media, an official from the nation’s protection ministry denied that its jets had harassed a Turkish vessel.
On January 25 representatives from the 2 NATO nations met for the primary time in 5 years to debate a lot of points, together with power, airspace and the standing of some islands within the Aegean Sea. They’ve agreed to satisfy once more in Athens.
The Turkish Navy has mentioned that the Cesme will perform surveys of the islands of Lemnos, Skyros, and Alonnisos till March 2.
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