INTENSE

Arms stockpile in the Mediterranean: After Egypt, another state gets involved in Greece-Turkey dispute Turkey, Greece argue over energy-rich territorial waters, tensions rise further Monday Writes: HinaPosted: August 12, 2020 11:43 pm Turkish warships accompanied by the research vessel Oruc Reis near Antalya Turkish warships accompanied by the research vessel Oruc Reis near Antalya TURKISH DEFENSE MINISTRY / AFP Facebook Twitter Messenger E-mail RELATED NEWS Scene from Greece, archival photograph SECOND WAVE New daily records of those infected in Greece and France, an increasingly complex situation in Spain as well DECISION Italy has introduced a new measure for those who want to enter the country, and have stayed and passed through Croatia France will step up its military presence in the eastern Mediterranean, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Wednesday , urging Turkey to halt oil and gas exploration in disputed waters that has heightened tensions with Greece. In talks with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the French leader expressed concern over the "unilateral" investigation, the Elysee Palace said, adding that it must stop to allow dialogue between the two NATO members. France will "temporarily strengthen" its military presence in the eastern Mediterranean, the statement added, "in order to monitor the situation in the region and show its determination to respect international law." Turkey and Greece are at loggerheads over energy-rich territorial waters, and tensions rose on Monday when Ankara sent a research ship to the disputed Mediterranean, accompanied by warships, a day after Greece signed an agreement with Egypt. EU foreign ministers will discuss the issue at an extraordinary meeting on Friday. The Greek minister will therefore meet with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Vienna on the same day