Oruc Reis

The Turkish research vessel Oruc Reis is set to embark on an important mission this Saturday, departing from Istanbul to explore hydrocarbon deposits along the coast of Somalia. This significant journey will mark a key step in Turkey’s ongoing efforts to expand its influence in the region’s energy sector.

Ceremony in Istanbul

Defense officials are worried about Turkish shipyards' growing capacity to turn out fighting vessels as well as the rising costs of keeping up with Greece's nominally allied neighbor.

Greece has hit the button to actualize 13 military projects worth some 800 million euros, including the enlargement of a navy base in the Souda Bay of the island of Crete that will cost around 190 million euros.

Ankara is flexing its military muscle in Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in an apparent effort to torpedo efforts to proceed with the construction of the EastMed pipeline by imposing its own maps and pushing its expansionist theory of the "Blue Motherland" at sea.

January is expected to be a month of developments in Greek-Turkish relations, with Athens reportedly eyeing a possible restart of exploratory talks with Ankara.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan brushed off possible European Union sanctions against Turkey on Wednesday, saying they would not affect his country.

Speaking to reporters before departing for a visit to Azerbaijan, Erdogan also accused the EU of acting "dishonestly" toward Turkey and of failing to keep its promises.

Turkey's recent moves to de-escalate a clash with Greece and Cyprus over east Mediterranean energy reserves are "unconvincing" and European Union leaders need to take action that will prompt Ankara to heed international law, Greece's foreign minister said on Friday.

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has reiterated Turkey's call for dialogue in the eastern Mediterranean, suggesting the Eastern Mediterranean Conference as a way to resolve regional disputes.

The European Union's solidarity often gets abused as the most recent example of the interception of a Turkish-flagged merchant ship by the bloc's military Operation Irini has shown, Turkey's top diplomat said on Dec. 2.

Turkey on Dec. 1 reaffirmed its readiness for dialogue with Greece following the return to port of a Turkish research vessel.