Greece's Foreign Ministry

As officials from the foreign ministries of Greece and Turkey met for political consultations in Ankara on Friday, Turkish jets were reported to have violated Greek airspace over the islet of Ro.

Greek and Turkish foreign ministry delegations will meet in Ankara on Friday for a new round of political consultations, amid a spike in tensions between the two countries over sovereignty rights in the Eastern Mediterranean.

There are growing concerns in Athens about a spike in extreme rhetoric by Turkey, which this week accused Greece of "inhumane practices" against Muslim minorities and of acts of barbarism during the 19th century.

Turkey's intention to conduct a new round of offshore drilling within the Cyprus' exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is "completely contrary to any notion of legality," Greece said on Friday, after a Turkish diplomat announced drill ship Yavuz would start work on October 7.

There was no information so far on any Greek nationals stranded abroad due to the collapse of British tour operator Thomas Cook, Greece's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday evening, citing information gathered by the country's diplomatic and consular authorities.
The ministry said it was "closely monitoring" developments and has taken measures to address any problems that may arise.

Greece's Foreign Ministry is "monitoring closely" developments concerning the Iranian tanker and "is in contact, through diplomatic channels, with the US," according to diplomatic sources cited by state-run news agency ANA-MPA on Tuesday.

The same sources said the US's view on the issue is well-known and concern all states and ports in the Mediterranean.

Greece's Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Friday saying that the government has recognized Juan Guaido as president of Venezuela, supporting his call "for free, fair and democratic presidential elections."

US Vice President Mike Pence and National Security Adviser John Bolton hailed Greece's decision to recognize Juan Guaido as Venezuela's interim president on Friday.

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido on Friday thanked Greek Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the new government for recognizing his as the interim president of his country.
"Greece, the cradle of democracy, will undoubtedly be a great European ally in our struggle," Guaido said in a tweet, commenting on the Greek announcement earlier this morning.

In its first statement after the official change of guard on Tuesday, Greece's Foreign Ministry condemned Turkey's planned drilling inside Cyprus' exclusive economic zone (EEZ), saying such an action violates international law and further escalates tensions in the region.