Ten days before the start of exploratory talks between Greece and Turkey, and hours after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan indirectly invited Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for a meeting, Ankara issued a series of NAVTEX.
Turkey formally announced via NAVTEX, the international maritime navigational telex system, that is has committed areas of the Aegean for military exercises with live fire until the end of the year.
Erdoğan appeared positive about the possibility of a meeting Mitsotakis, a move that is part of Ankara's ongoing effort to promote itself as a force for dialogue and not aggression.
However, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu reiterated the view that all issues of concern to Turkey will be raised in exploratory contacts, such as Greece demilitarizing its islands.
The latest NAVTEX announcements demonstrate that Turkey is not interested in de-escalating hostilities, but rather try and avoid further sanctions.
NAVTEX in detail:
TURNHOS N/W : 0050/21 (İzmir NAVTEX Station) (Published Date: 15-01-2021 19:58)
TURNHOS N/W : 0050/21
AEGEAN SEA
1. FIRING EXERCISE, BETWEEN 16 JAN-14 JUN 21 AND 16 SEP-31 DEC 21 FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET
A) EXCEPT WEEKENDS AND NATIONAL HOLIDAYS,
B) EXCEPT THE FOLLOWING DATES:
15 MAR 21, 25 MAR 21, 30 APR 21, 01 MAY 21, 02 MAY 21, 03 MAY 21, 28 OCT 21, 21 NOV 21, 24 DEC 21, 25 DEC 21, 26 DEC 21, 31 DEC 21.
IN AREA BOUNDED BY;
37 27.00 N – 026 17.00 E
37 08.50 N – 026 27.50 E
37 05.00 N – 026 09.00 E
37 24.00 N – 026 00.00 E
37 24.00 N – 026 04.00 E
CAUTION ADVISED.
2. CANCEL THIS MESSAGE 311800Z DEC 21.
TURNHOS N/W : 0049/21 (İzmir NAVTEX Station) (Published Date: 15-01-2021 19:55)
TURNHOS N/W : 0049/21
AEGEAN SEA
1. FIRING EXERCISE, BETWEEN 16 JAN-14 JUN 21 AND 16 SEP-31 DEC 21 FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET
A) EXCEPT WEEKENDS AND NATIONAL HOLIDAYS,
B) EXCEPT THE FOLLOWING DATES:
15 MAR 21, 25 MAR 21, 30 APR 21, 01 MAY 21, 02 MAY 21, 03 MAY 21, 28 OCT 21, 21 NOV 21, 24 DEC 21, 25 DEC 21, 26 DEC 21, 31 DEC 21.
IN AREA BOUNDED BY;
39 00.00 N – 025 10.00 E
39 20.00 N – 024 58.00 E
39 14.00 N – 024 40.00 E
38 54.00 N – 024 52.00 E
CAUTION ADVISED.
2. CANCEL THIS MESSAGE 311800Z DEC 21.
TURNHOS N/W : 0048/21 (İzmir NAVTEX Station) (Published Date: 15-01-2021 19:53)
TURNHOS N/W : 0048/21
AEGEAN SEA
1. FIRING EXERCISE, BETWEEN 16 JAN-14 JUN 21 AND 16 SEP-31 DEC 21 FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET
A) EXCEPT WEEKENDS AND NATIONAL HOLIDAYS,
B) EXCEPT THE FOLLOWING DATES:
15 MAR 21, 25 MAR 21, 30 APR 21, 01 MAY 21, 02 MAY 21, 03 MAY 21, 28 OCT 21, 21 NOV 21, 24 DEC 21, 25 DEC 21, 26 DEC 21, 31 DEC 21.
IN AREA BOUNDED BY;
40 16.50 N – 025 39.00 E
40 18.00 N – 025 30.00 E
40 35.00 N – 024 58.00 E
40 11.00 N – 024 33.00 E
40 09.00 N – 024 45.00 E
40 20.00 N – 024 56.00 E
40 07.00 N – 025 33.00 E
CAUTION ADVISED.
2. CANCEL THIS MESSAGE 311800Z DEC 21.
Also, for January 19, Turkey plans an exercise south of Lemnos:
TURNHOS N/W : 0044/21 (İzmir NAVTEX Station) (Published Date: 15-01-2021 11:59)
TURNHOS N/W : 0044/21
AEGEAN SEA
1. GUNNERY EXERCISE, ON 19 JAN 21 FROM 1001Z TO 1130Z IN AREA BOUNDED BY;
39 30.00 N-025 33.00 E
39 40.00 N-025 33.00 E
39 40.00 N-025 20.00 E
39 30.00 N-025 20.00 E
CAUTION ADVISED.
2. CANCEL THIS MESSAGE 191230Z JAN 21.
