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France will strengthen its military presence in the eastern Mediterranean. Reuters
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Greek warships take part in military exercises in Eastern Mediterranean sea, as tensions rise with Turkey over the waters. Greek Defense Ministry/AP
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The Greek air force joined the exercises. Greek Defense Ministry/AP
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The Tonnerre is escorted by Greek and French military vessels. Greek National Defence/AP)
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The French Tonnerre helicopter carrier, rear left, is escorted by Greek and French military vessels during a maritime exercise in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Greek and Turkish warships are also closely shadowing each other. (Greek National Defence/AP)
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The Turkish seismic research vessel 'Oruc Reis' heading west of Antalya in the Mediterranean Sea. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP
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Tension are high between Greece and Turkey, over the 'Oruc-Reis' and its mission in the eastern Mediterranean. IHA via AP
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Turkey’s claims to the waters, which it says are on its continental shelf, have repeatedly been dismissed as illegal by Greece and its allies. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP
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Turkish ships accompany the 'Oruc Reis,' a seismic research vessel. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for dialogue while still pushing ahead with a Mediterranean gas development plan that has outraged Greece. AFP
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Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned of the potential for a mishap with Greek and Turkish navies both in the area.. EPA
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France will strengthen its military presence in the eastern Mediterranean. Reuters
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Greek warships take part in military exercises in Eastern Mediterranean sea, as tensions rise with Turkey over the waters. Greek Defense Ministry/AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2E6Z2PJFAF5P2F4X6DW5Z3I75I.jpg?smart=true&auth=08ed802da9147d786ac1a7c0e2db038956dd6208dd1d065d0d7c3f1c8d1b5239&width=400&height=225)
The Greek air force joined the exercises. Greek Defense Ministry/AP
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The Tonnerre is escorted by Greek and French military vessels. Greek National Defence/AP)
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CVR7RO4FN7A7VI3OZKZNQJBVAI.jpg?smart=true&auth=83c6efa49c95c46d9a9efa7c353a4c6c3d386c1cba3fd09f51f63e80831ee5e5&width=400&height=225)
The French Tonnerre helicopter carrier, rear left, is escorted by Greek and French military vessels during a maritime exercise in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Greek and Turkish warships are also closely shadowing each other. (Greek National Defence/AP)
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VGL5MKZC3FGEJUMV7X6IHREEKU.jpg?smart=true&auth=0a9b5b9a639945c5f266c2cebcf17f140308b72d579be4fd9515280148c85051&width=400&height=225)
The Turkish seismic research vessel 'Oruc Reis' heading west of Antalya in the Mediterranean Sea. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP
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Tension are high between Greece and Turkey, over the 'Oruc-Reis' and its mission in the eastern Mediterranean. IHA via AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UEN2RZII4Q355NXNXQKAQWMJ54.jpg?smart=true&auth=06e131fe5a5c3b5eb05ad31eaf1cbdd7e7cd18a464c1da3bd32a3b97d1f440e8&width=400&height=225)
Turkey’s claims to the waters, which it says are on its continental shelf, have repeatedly been dismissed as illegal by Greece and its allies. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Y4FDMDWRITRHP623G4WBHAGYVY.jpg?smart=true&auth=2d1e1d6bab36f531f65e9fc2496b4029c808138d86bf4d41ed1898bab1bfba2f&width=400&height=225)
Turkish ships accompany the 'Oruc Reis,' a seismic research vessel. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for dialogue while still pushing ahead with a Mediterranean gas development plan that has outraged Greece. AFP
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Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned of the potential for a mishap with Greek and Turkish navies both in the area.. EPA
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France will strengthen its military presence in the eastern Mediterranean. Reuters
France and Greece hold joint Mediterranean manoeuvres to check Turkey
Military build-up by France off Greek and Turkish coasts comes before special EU summit to discuss possible sanctions on Ankara
Callum Paton
13 August, 2020
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