Greek Authorities Stand Down After Turkish Vessel Withdraws

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Greek authorities have stood down after the Turkish oceanographic and research vessel TÜBİTAK MARMARA left the area of the Greek continental shelf, ending a period of heightened tension in the southeastern Aegean.

The vessel, which triggered an immediate response from the Greek Armed Forces after Turkey issued a NAVTEX for the area, collected its research equipment and changed course.

According to reliable information, TÜBİTAK MARMARA is now outside the zone that the Antalya station had designated and is heading back towards Turkish territorial waters.

Throughout the vessel’s presence in the area, a Greek Coast Guard vessel remained on full alert and closely monitored every movement of the Turkish ship.

Greece responded immediately by issuing its own counter-NAVTEX, effectively rejecting the Turkish claims over the area.

The vessel’s departure has eased the temporary tensions that emerged in the southeastern Aegean. Greek armed forces, however, remain on heightened alert to prevent any new provocative action in the wider maritime area.

Greek authorities also face the possibility of a similar incident involving the same or another Turkish research vessel at the other maritime zone Turkey has announced in the northern Aegean.

That area extends between Lemnos and Samothrace and lies within the Greek continental shelf, according to the Greek position outlined in the report.

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