AEGEAN SEA

Ankara will be closely watching when European Union leaders come together today and tomorrow in Brussels with a heavy agenda.

The leaders' summit will be discussing various issues, including restoring free movement and travel, the progress in the bloc's jointly funded stimulus package and how to move forward on international corporate taxation and the bloc's banking union.

Turkey announced a new NAVTEX in the Aegean Sea's international waters in retaliation for Greece's recent NAVTEX announcement that violated the two countries' bilateral agreements.

Marine mucilage, which has been plaguing the Marmara Sea over the recent months, has also been observed in the northern Aegean Sea, especially around Gökçeada and Bozcaada, two islands off the shores of the northwestern province of Çanakkale.

A magnitude-5.3 earthquake struck Turkey's southwestern province of Muğla, the country's disaster agency said early on June 22. 

The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said the quake struck 11.4 kilometers (7.08 miles) below the surface of the Aegean Sea, 40 kilometers (24.8 miles) off the coast of Datca district.

According to the statement, the epicenter of the earthquake was in the Aegean Sea at a depth of 2 km, Reuters reports.
So far, there are no reports of possible victims or material damage.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to announce on Wednesday (2 June) the details of a project which aims to transform the island of Astypalaia in the southeastern Aegean Sea into Europe's "Green Island".

The objective is to have all of Astypalaia's daily activities run on renewable energy, from electricity to transport.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has said he will visit Greece on May 31 for talks with his Greek counterpart.

The minister confirmed his visit with the state broadcaster TRT on May 26.

The fourth round of meeting on confidence-building measures between the delegations of the Turkish and Greek defense ministries will be held on May 26-27 via video conference, the Turkish Defense Ministry has said.

Bad weather disrupted life in the western province of Balıkesir's Ayvalık district when sudden heavy rainfall and storm hit several neighborhoods, flooding houses and shops, sinking boats and knocking down trees.

Following the lifting of the 17-day full nationwide lockdown, Ayvalık, one of the charming and picturesque towns of the Aegean province of Balıkesir, is once again ready to host local and international visitors, with its historical texture, cosmopolitan cuisine and natural beauties offering a unique experience.