Turkey, Greece Resume Talks to Resolve Maritime Disputes

(Bloomberg) -- Turkey and Greece will resume talks aimed at resolving territorial disputes in Eastern Mediterranean, after a tense naval standoff over the summer brought the two countries close to the brink of conflict.

The two governments confirmed in separate statements on Tuesday that they agreed to hold the 61st round of exploratory talks in Istanbul. The one issued by Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s office came after the Turkish president held a call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Council President Charles Michel.

The resumption of negotiations would build on an easing of tensions in the energy-rich region, where Turkey, Greece and Cyprus are at loggerheads over maritime boundaries. Just a day earlier, the U.S. dismissed a contentious map that’s exacerbated the competing territorial claims, saying it has no legal significance.

European Union leaders were due to meet in Brussels on Thursday to discuss how to deal with Turkish energy exploration activities in contested waters, but the summit was postponed by a week, after Michel, who chairs the gatherings, was forced to go into quarantine. The EU Council president came in close contact with a security officer who tested positive for Covid-19, according to a tweet by his spokesman.

Tensions between the regional rivals soared this summer after Turkish ships launched energy surveys and naval exercises in waters where Turkey and Greece both assert exclusive economic rights, and began exploring for natural gas off the divided island of Cyprus.

The EU has threatened sanctions on Turkey over its maritime claims in Eastern Mediterranean, and member state Cyprus is pressing for an expanded blacklist of Turkish entities. Cyprus on Monday refused to sign off on sanctions against the regime in Belarus unless other member states also agree to expand the Turkish sanctions list.

Turkey and Greece were set to begin German-mediated talks last month, after Ankara put exploration in the area on hold at Merkel’s request. But those plans broke down after Greece signed a maritime boundaries deal with Egypt and Turkey accused Athens of acting in bad faith. Turkey had signed a maritime boundaries deal with Libya late last year.

Turkey and Greece, both NATO members, deployed their navies to the area, and France started expanding its military presence there in reaction to Turkey’s steps.

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.