Tensions will rise in the Aegean this summer, say Turkish media

"Ankara is preparing reactions to Athens' unilateral steps."

Turkish media estimate that "in the summer, tension in the Aegean will escalate," while Ankara is preparing reactions to what it considers to be unilateral actions by Athens.

Specifically, the TV network A Haber reports that Greece plans to announce the creation of marine parks in the Aegean Sea – something that Turkey categorically rejects.

"Turkey opposes unilateral moves. Greece plans to create these parks in both the Ionian and Aegean Seas. Ankara has already prepared. With summer approaching and temperatures rising, it is clear that tension in the Aegean will increase," the Turkish outlet noted.

Furthermore, it is noted that "Greece, which wishes to continue its maximalist policy in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, will announce the decisions on the areas where the marine parks will be located by the end of June.

"Ankara is closely monitoring developments and will take steps in response to these moves. In response to Greece's steps, Turkey is preparing moves both on an environmental and diplomatic level.

"All of Greece's moves are being monitored minute by minute. Possible unilateral decisions and moves will be treated as non-existent and unacceptable."

At the same time, a meeting between Greek-Turkish Deputy Foreign Ministers Alexandra Papadopoulos and Mehmet Kemal Bozay took place a few days ago in a positive atmosphere, during which they examined preparations for the meeting between Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey.

See the video:

Ankara insists on the Turkish-Libyan memorandum 

Meanwhile, Ankara insists on the Turkish-Libyan memorandum, welcoming the fact that the commander of the Tobruk-based Libyan National Army (LNA), Khalifa Belqasim Haftar, is also considering it.

In particular, sources from the Turkish Ministry of Defense note that "The Memorandum of Understanding on the Delimitation of Maritime Jurisdiction Areas concluded between Turkey and Libya in 2019 is a fair agreement that protects the rights of both countries arising from international law.

"In the aforementioned Memorandum of Understanding, when defining the maritime areas, the median line between the continental territories was taken as a basis, and Libya's rights were protected in every sense, in contrast to the maximalist demands of other countries.

"Within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding, our alliance with Libya, which is based on historical ties, was also recorded on the seas. We positively welcome the fact that the Haftar side has considered it, and we are closely monitoring developments."

READ MORE: From Nicosia to IMEC: Modi’s strategic visit to Cyprus and the new chapter in India and Greece relations.