Erdogan calls off exploratory talks with Greece

In the wake of Thursday's agreement designating an exclusive economic zone between Greece and Egypt, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan denounced it as invalid and announced drilling operations in areas outlined in the Turkey-Libya accord which Greece said was nullified by its deal with Egypt.
He also called off exploratory talks with Greece whose commencement on August 28 had been expected to be announced on Friday.
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said, "While there was an initial understanding between us to start exploratory contacts, Turkey withdrew from this understanding." He expressed the hope that "this is a temporary decision under the state of inexplicable anger, and I say inexplicable, because Greece took an absolutely legal action."

He reiterated that Greece is willing to defend its positions in any court, such as the International Court of...