Athens gauging Turkish objectives in East Med area

Officials in Athens are gauging the distance between Ankara's declared intentions and actual capabilities amid growing tension over energy deposits in the Eastern Mediterranean. 

Turkey last week deployed the drilling ship Fatih, saying it will start exploring a few kilometers off its southern province of Antalya. The move is seen as a bid to make its presence felt in the area, as well as to discredit reports that the vessel was at risk of being left without a scientific team and the technology needed to start operations.

At the same time, the survey vessel Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa continues to operate in the area reserved by Ankara's Navtex through February 1, which includes a segment of the Greek continental shelf and blocks 4 and 5 of Cyprus's exclusive economic zone. In addition, Ankara is also reserving maritime areas between Greece's easternmost Kastellorizo island...

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