Greek National Security Council Meets Amid Turkey Tension

Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has convened the government's national security council after Turkey announced its research vessel would be conducting exploratory drilling in the eastern Mediterranean in an area between Cyprus and Greece.

The council, which includes the ministers of foreign affairs and defence, met on Monday as Greece's navy ships were monitoring the Turkish seismic research ship Oruc Reis. "We are in complete political and operational readiness," Minister of State George Gerapetritis said on state television ERT. "Most of the fleet is ready to be deployed wherever necessary," he said.

Turkey issued a Navtex, or international maritime safety message, announcing Oruc Reis and two auxiliary vessels would be conducting exploratory drilling from Monday until August 23. Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Donmez said Monday that the Oruc Reis had arrived in its area of operation from its anchorage off Turkey's southern coast, near the Greek island of Kastellorizo. -Full Report

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