Greece has moved in almost its entire naval fleet in response to manoeuvres in the eastern Mediterranean by a Turkish research vessel and accompanying warships.
The Greek vessels, which are accompanied by submarines and aircraft, have formed a line blocking any further advance by the Turkish research ship Oruc Reis, which arrived between Crete and Cyprus on Monday.
Turkey’s Ministry of Defence released photos of the seismic research vehicle moving while flanked closely by five warships.
The Greek press has reported that in total Turkey has more than 17 ships in the contested waters between the Greek islands of Rhodes and Kastellorizo.
These vessels have been sent in addition to the warships accompanying the Oruc Reis.
The research vessel has reportedly started dropping cables, part of the seismic analysis process, but cannot continue its survey because of its proximity to hostile Greek ships.
The Turkish coastguard said a Greek vessel opened fire on a private Turkish boat. Two Turkish citizens and a Syrian were injured in the incident.
The naval build-up in the region was sparked by the departure of the Oruc Reis from its port in Antalya, Turkey.
An enduring maritime conflict
Athens and Ankara are locked in a years-long dispute over access to water in the eastern Mediterranean that are rich in natural resources.
At the heart of the disagreement are areas that border the many Greek islands in the region.
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.
The old dispute between Greece and Turkey has increasingly drawn in other Mediterranean nations and intersected with Libya’s violent internal conflict.
In December, Ankara and Libya’s Government of National Accord in Tripoli signed an agreement on maritime borders that favoured Turkey.
In exchange, Ankara promised military support to the government in Tripoli.
Last week, Greece and Egypt agreed to their one maritime border deal in the area.
The UAE has thrown its weight behind the Greek-Egyptian deal.
Turkey has railed against the Cairo agreement, calling it a provocation.
Last week, it said it would be conducting military exercises on Monday and Tuesday in a nearby area, south-west of the Turkish coast between Turkey and the Greek island of Rhodes.
"Greece will not accept any blackmail. It will defend its sovereignty and sovereign rights," Greece's Foreign Ministry said.
"We call on Turkey to immediately end its illegal actions that undermine peace and security in the region."
Germany and Nato, of which Turkey and Greece are members, have tried to defuse the situation.
Turkey has said Greece’s deal with Egypt forced it to withdraw from German-organised talks over the maritime boundaries.
Simmering tensions boil over
Last month, during a similar standoff in the region, a confrontation was narrowly avoided only after an intervention by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Differences in policy in the eastern Mediterranean have brought into sharp focus contradictions within Nato and in the EU.
On Monday, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called a meeting of the country’s national security council and spoke to European Council President Charles Michel about Greece’s deal with Egypt.
The Greek leader spoke to Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday evening.
"The situation must be resolved in a spirit of allied solidarity and in accordance with international law," Mr Stoltenberg said later.
Greece plans to request an extraordinary meeting of the EU’s foreign affairs council over the continuing tension.
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Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
