Turkey to resume seismic survey in eastern Mediterranean

Ankara has announced to resume seismic survey operations in the eastern Mediterranean, a move observed as an escalation amid its stand-off with Greece over energy exploration rights.

Ankara: Turkish seismic survey vessel, the Oruc Reis, sailed to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea to resume its activities, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Donmez announced on Monday.

Donmez said on his Twitter account that the vessel raised the anchor to "take the X-ray of the Mediterranean" following the completion of its maintenance works, reports Xinhua news agency.

Last month, Turkey withdrew Oruc Reis from its activity area to a port in Antalya province for its monthly maintenance and supplies.

The vessel has so far collected a total of 3,525 km seismic data in the Mediterranean Sea.

Monday's development comes amid heightened tensions in the region as Greece has disputed Turkey's rights to energy exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean, Hurriyet Daily News reported.

Ankara sent out drill ships to explore for energy on its continental shelf, asserting its rights in the region as well as those of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

European Union countries have been trying to mediate between Turkey and Greece over their conflicting demands.

Turkey says that Greece's maritime territory claims in the region, based on small islands near the Turkish coast, are in defiance of the international law.

Greece and Turkey are both Nato members but have a history of border disputes and competing claims over maritime rights.

IANS