Ankara sends out mixed messages

Officials in Athens are trying to make sense of what they see as erratic behavior emanating from Ankara, which on the one hand is requesting a moratorium on military exercises in the Aegean due to the coronavirus pandemic, and on the other is continuing its tactic of low-level tensions regarding the Greek islands.

Turkey's behavior was also raised on Wednesday by Alternate Migration Minister Giorgos Koumoutsakos during talks with Frontex chief Fabrice Leggeri.

Koumoutsakos stressed the issue of Turkish Coast Guard vessels escorting boats with refugees toward Greek territorial waters. 

The latest incident was Wednesday morning, when the Hellenic Coast Guard spotted a boat with migrants northeast of the island of Lesvos which unsuccessfully tried to enter Greek territorial waters with the help of the Turkish Coast Guard. 

Also on Wednesday, Turkish F-16...