US lambasts Turkey over 'calculated provocation' in East Mediterranean
'Coercion, threats, intimidation, and military activity will not resolve tensions' in East Med, US warns
The US State Department slammed Turkey on Tuesday over Ankara's declaration announcing renewed research activities in a disputed area of the Mediterranean Sea.
In a statement, State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said the move "unilaterally raises tensions in the region" where Ankara's maritime claims collide with those of Greece.
Thus, Ankara's recent announcement "deliberately complicates the resumption of crucial exploratory talks between our NATO Allies Greece and Turkey," the statement asserts.
"Coercion, threats, intimidation, and military activity will not resolve tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean," Ortagus adds, calling on Turkey to stop the "calculated provocation" and get down to the negotiations table.
On Sunday, Ankara declared that the Oruc Reis seismic research vessel will head back into the Eastern Mediterranean for surveying activities.
The move prompted outrage in Greece, which earlier lashed out at Turkey over the vessel's activities starting from August 10. The vessel was eventually withdrawn.
On Tuesday, Greece vowed that there will be no further talks with Ankara until the vessel leaves the waters claimed by Greece again.
Greece claims rights over the waters around its island of Kastellorizo but Turkey says the island's close proximity to its longer coastline makes the territory a legitimate area for its vessels to explore, with talks between the two sides largely stalled since 2016.