Turkish ship off Cyprus brings fresh tension

The mission of the Turkish research ship Barbaros in the Cypriot continental shelf has come to further complicate matters between Athens and Ankara, just days after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the suspension of activities of another vessel, the Oruc Reis, in the Greek continental shelf in light of a pending "unconditional" dialogue.

Athens had already dismissed the possibility of "unconditional talks" with Ankara, saying that it is open for dialogue about the continental shelf and maritime zones. 

But the road to dialogue between the two countries was seen to be littered with more obstacles Thursday with the presence of the Turkish ship in Cyprus' waters and in statements made by Erdogan that Turkish plans in the Eastern Mediterranean will continue "until the end."

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis discussed the situation in a phone call with...

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