Turkey says Greek jets harass research vessel over Aegean Sea

Duvar English - Reuters

Turkey said on Feb. 23 that four Greek jets harassed a Turkish research vessel in the Aegean Sea but Athens denied the accusation, which comes as the two NATO members seek to resume talks over maritime disputes.

The Çeşme research vessel started survey work last week in international waters between the two countries, prompting Greece to protest.

The Turkish Defense Ministry said the four Greek F-16s approached the Çesme on Feb. 22 and one dropped a chaff flare two nautical miles from the vessel.

Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said Turkey responded with the "necessary retaliation... in line with the rules." 

"While we are carrying out scientific work, harassment is not appropriate, it is not befitting of good neighbourly ties," he told reporters in parliament.

"Our attitude, decision, and efforts we will make on this issue are clear. Nobody should doubt that," Akar added.

A Greek Defense Ministry official denied the accusations, saying "Greek jets never harassed the Turkish vessel."

After a five-year hiatus, Turkish and Greek officials met on Jan. 25 to discuss a decades-old dispute over the delimitation of maritime zones and rights to energy resources in the eastern Mediterranean. The allies have agreed to meet again in Athens.

Athens said it has sent an invitation to Ankara suggesting the talks resume in early March, ahead of an EU summit. Ankara has said it wants to continue talks and improve ties with the EU, which backs Greece in the dispute.