Turkey has issued another navigational notice, known as a Navtex, for the Oruç Reis research vessel that continue its illegal activities in Greece’s maritime sovereign rights in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The illegal Turkish maritime notice, that is to continue until November 29, was issued by the Attaleia (Ἀττάλεια, Turkish: Antalya) station, and attempts to reserve an area extending up to 6 nautical miles south of Kastellorizo island.
Greece were however quick to issue an anti-Navtex from the Heraklion station, the station in charge of the sea area between Rhodes and Kastellorizo that Turkey issued an illegal maritime notice over.
The Oruç Reis had been expected to finish its failed explorations for gas and oil by November 23.
Earlier today, the so-called Turkish Defense Minister once again said that the status on the sovereignty of some Greek islands has not been determined.
“This is not about ethics. They ignore moves and actions which they carry out around islands which are by no means under Greek sovereignty,” he said with clear delusions and not respect for international law.
As he said, “there are islands in the Aegean whose sovereignty has not been given to Greece in anyway.”
He added that Turkey is doing obvious work on these islands with the Oruç Reis research vessel.
“The scientific and technical work we have done is presented as a challenge. This is a really wrong approach, it does not suit a good neighbor at all,” he said.
“We are in favor of solutions, dialogue and good neighborly relations,” he claimed without any basis, adding “We have shown and continue to show our good intentions in the matter.”
He also referred to the Cyprus issue, commenting that “in Cyprus they must see and accept the presence of the Turks, which has lasted for many centuries.”
“They have to give them their rights. In the matter of equality and sovereignty, the present treaties must accept it,” he said.
The Greek maritime notice that was sent
ZCZC HA11
211130 UTC NOV 20
IRAKLEIO STATION NAVWARN 711/20
SOUTHEAST CRETAN SEA
1. UNAUTHORIZED STATION HAS BROADCAST NAVTEX MESSAGE NUMBER FA64-1460 / 20, THAT REFERS TO ILLEGAL ACTIVITY IN AN AREA INCLUDING GREEK TERRITORIAL SEA, WHERE GREECE HAS THE EXCLUSIVE AUTHORITY TO BROADCESS.
THIS NAVTEX AREA ALSO OVERLAPS GREEK CONTINENTAL SHELF AND FALLS WITHIN HELLENIC NAVTEX SERVICE AREA WHERE IRAKLEIO NAVTEX STATION HAS THE AUTHORITY TO BROADCAST NAVTEX MESSAGES.
2. ALL MARINERS ARE REQUESTED TO DISREGARD NAVTEX MESSAGE NUMBER FA64-1460 / 20.
3. CANCEL THIS MESSAGE 292059 UTC NOV 20.
