By Gifts Antoniou

Another transfer move to the field of claims that Ankara occasionally promotes is the NAVTEX version for the exit of the oceanographic “Piri Reis” for scientific research in the Aegean. This move is not in a indifferent time and cannot be considered by accident.

Last Thursday, the day after the announcement that US Chevron had a formal bid for seaside land south of Crete and the Peloponnese, the Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan FidanFrom Italy, he said that investigations in the Mediterranean should be done with respect for sovereign rights. It was an indirect, but clear reminder of the claims that Ankara is promoting and seeking to secure with the non -existent and illegal Turkish -Tourist Memorandum, which the plots intersect south of Crete. It was also an indication of the annoyance caused by this development in Ankara, much more as, so far, the Turkish side’s persistent attempt to persuade Benghazi to proceed with the House of Eastern Libya representatives in ratification of the Memorandum.

The exit of “Piri Reis” is considered a reaction to these developments. Oceanographic vessels are not illegal, but Navtex’s jurisdiction is a way in which Ankara seeks to pass its own positions on the demarcation of continental shelf. In the sea sections west of Lesvos and south of Chios to the islet of Kalogeros, for which the Turkish Navtex was issued, includes areas of the Greek continental shelf. Ankara again raises the issue of a potential Turkish continental shelf, which starts from its position that the islands do not affect sovereign rights and are confined only to the territorial waters of the six nautical miles. Athens reacted, as expected, instead of – Navtex.

The Turkish tactic of exit ships for scientific research has been cause for serious judgments in the pastas with the ship “Hora”, but also with “Piri Reis”. When “Piri Reis”, which until late yesterday was in the port of Smyrna, goes out to the sea for investigations, in practice it will show how willing the Turkish side is to insist on a challenge line.

The move, in addition to being followed by the evolution with Chevron and is reasonably considered to be a reaction to it, comes just a week before the UN General Assembly in New York, where it is planned. Meeting of Kyriakos Mitsotakis with Recep Tayyip Erdoganwithout yesterday closed. It is doubtful that such a meeting can be made on important substance issues if it continues on the days when the Turkish side is moving on with such choices.

At the same time, tomorrow, he is expected in Athens for a meeting with George Gerapetritis, the Foreign Minister of the Libyan National Unity Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Foreign Minister of the Government of the National Unity of Libya, Taile salem al Bare. It is expected to be a timetable for the start of discussions of the technical committees on the demarcation of maritime zones between Greece and Libya. “It is the government’s expression in western Libya to begin these discussions.” Mr Gerapetritis said in an interview on the SKAI radio.

Athens’ moves to approach western and eastern Libya and much more the prospect of repetition of discussions of defining sea zones is yet another issue that causes discomfort in Ankara.