Israel has expressed its support and solidarity with Greece via multiple social media channels on Wednesday, amid tension in the Eastern Mediterranean between Greece and Turkey.
“Israel is closely monitoring the escalation of tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean,” the Israeli embassy in Greece tweeted.
The statement continues, “Israel expresses its full support and solidarity with Greece, its maritime zones and the right to determine its EEZ."
The message came as the standoff between Greek and Turkey deepened this week with the arrival of Turkish seismic research vessel Oruc Reis in a disputed area of the Mediterranean, accompanied by warships. The Oruç Reis came from the Cypriot continental shelf and entered the eastern end of the Greek continental shelf .
Greece and Israel have become close allies in recent years, working together on energy projects such as the EastMed pipeline. The 1,900-kilometre EastMed pipeline, which has been in planning for several years, is intended to provide an alternative gas source for energy-hungry Europe, which is largely dependent on supplies from Russia and the Caucasus region.
Israeli Ambassador Yossi Amrani also met with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias on Wednesday. The talks focused on bilateral issues as well as the Turkish violations.