Oruc Reis

Germany on Nov. 30 welcomed the return to port of Turkish research vessel Oruç Reis after completing its energy exploration mission in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Speaking at a virtual conference on Germany's EU presidency, Merkel said relations with Turkey, and recent tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, would be among the major topics of the EU leaders summit on Dec. 10-11.

Turkey's research vessel Oruc Reis has returned to the port of the southern province of Antalya after finishing seismic studies in the eastern Mediterranean, less than two weeks before a European Union summit where the bloc will evaluate possible sanctions against Ankara.

Turkey's seismic exploration vessel Oruc Reis returned to port on Monday from disputed Mediterranean waters, less than two weeks before a European Union summit where the bloc will evaluate possible sanctions against Ankara.

As Turkey's Oruc Reis research vessel was scheduled to end its activities on Saturday in areas within the Greek continental shelf, Athens is determined not to accept any proposal from Ankara for exploratory contacts before the December 10-11 European Council, which will discuss the possibility of imposing tough sanctions on Turkey over its recent stance.

Turkey's research vessel Oruc Reis reached even up to 7 nautical miles off Greece's island of Kastellorizo late Thursday, before gradually moving outside the Greek continental shelf, Kathimerini understands.

Υποστήριξε πως οι αντιρρήσεις της Ελλάδας για τις έρευνες του Oruc Reis δεν έχουν αξία

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday Turkey will not back down to threats of sanctions nor to incursions on its claimed territory in the Mediterranean Sea, where it is in a standoff with Greece.

Turkey has urged Greece to avoid provocative actions against its research vessel Oruç Reis deployed in the eastern Mediterranean or it will be retaliated in kind, a statement in reference to an incident between the two countries involving a frigate, which was later described as "an accident" by the Greek authorities.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday that Greece had attacked its seismic survey vessel Oruc Reis and warned that if it does so again in the future, Turkey will retaliate.

Two US Senators and two members of Congress have urged US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to pressure Turkey into calling off its drilling plans in the eastern Mediterranean.