Turkey ups ante in Eastern Med over oil and gas

Ankara amped up tensions with Athens on Wednesday, warning that it will not allow anyone to interfere with the activities of its seismographic research vessel in the Eastern Mediterranean.

"We will never allow a new harassment," Turkey Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told the Anadolu agency, in reference to an allegation last week by Ankara that a Greek frigate tried to prevent the Barbaros from conducting exploratory activities in a region bordering the exclusive economic zones of Greece and Cyprus.

"Our warships in the region are providing the necessary protection," he said. The Barbaros is being accompanied by four warships and an oil tanker.

Moreover, according to the Deniz Haber Ajansi news site, the Turkish Navy has drafted new rules of engagement to deal with what it describes as Greek provocations.

Turkey has opposed Cyprus's energy plans in...