Turkey revisits its East Med claims

In what was viewed as another display of nationalistic rhetoric aimed at a domestic audience on Thursday, Turkey announced its intention to proceed with drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, while a university rector and the head of an organization linked to the ruling AK Party set their sights on 12 Greek islands, Western Thrace and parts of Crete.

More specifically, Energy Minister Fatih Donmez announced that seismic surveys will take place in the Eastern Mediterranean, including areas identified in the maritime border memorandum signed by Turkey and the Tripoli-based government in Libya.

Donmez pointed out that the process to license the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) has already begun and "the first seismic survey activity will begin" as soon as it is completed.

Speaking to the state news agency Anadolu, Donmez said Turkey has already made...

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