Middle Eastern countries

Greece and Israel are two states in the Eastern Mediterranean, a region with many security challenges and fragile balances. The exploration of hydrocarbon reserves within the exclusive economic zones of Israel and Cyprus in recent years has created a new dynamic in the territory, while Greece is part of the bilateral and trilateral collaboration that has been deepened.

Turkey may act on its own in northern Syria to create a safe zone if a deal with the United States does not work as wanted, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has said, speaking of "plan B and plan C" to clear territories in the east of the Euphrates River.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said at the weekend that it is necessary for Turkey to keep its troops on Cyprus to exercise its rights as a guarantor power.
Akar, who visited Turkish troops on the island on Saturday, said that when Turkey talks of peace, the Greeks see it as weakness, while when Turkey says it will not accept faits accomplis, they see it as a threat.

Ankara will not accept "a usurpation" of the rights of Turkey and Turkish Cypriots "with a fait accompli" in the Eastern Mediterranean, the country's Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Thursday.

Two Turkish drill ships are continuing operations in the eastern Mediterranean and another ship will join them this month, Energy Minister Fatih Dönmez said, as a dispute over natural resources there fuels tensions between Turkey and Greek Cyprus.

Two Turkish drill ships are continuing operations in the eastern Mediterranean and another ship will join them this month, Turkish Energy Minister Fatih Donmez said, as a dispute over natural resources there fuels tensions between Turkey and Cyprus.

Turkish drillship "Yavuz" has begun operating off the coast of Cyprus, just south of the Karpasia (Kaspas) peninsula and will remain there for three weeks, Cypriot media reported Tuesday, citing an article in Turkey's pro-government newspaper Daily Sabah.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu presented a map Monday of Turkey's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) stretching south of the southeastern Aegean island of Rhodes to a few miles west of Paphos on Cyprus' western coast.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu called on all parties in the eastern Mediterranean to cooperate with Turkey to solve problems in the area.
Turkey has sent two drilling ships to explore for gas in the waters off the divided island of Cyprus, prompting accusations from Greece that it is undermining security in the region.

Foreigners' investment in the Turkish housing sector has gained momentum recently with almost 4% houses sold to non-Turkish people in the first half of 2019, said the country's statistical authority on Aug. 2.