Turkey pulled back Oruç Reis vessel to allow for diplomacy with Greece, says Erdoğan

Turkey pulled back its Oruç Reis seismic survey vessel from the eastern Mediterranean to allow for diplomacy with Greece, but this not mean Turkish operations in the region are finished, President Tayyip Erdoğan said on Sept. 18. 

Oruç Reis returned to waters near Turkey's southern province of Antalya on Sunday for what Ankara called routine maintenance, a move Greece said was a positive first step in easing tensions over offshore natural resources and maritime jurisdiction in the eastern Mediterranean.

Speaking to reporters following Friday prayers in Istanbul, Erdoğan also said he was ready to meet with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in person or via videoconference to discuss tensions in the eastern Mediterranean.

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