Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks in Ankara on Friday. Reuters
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks in Ankara on Friday. Reuters
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks in Ankara on Friday. Reuters
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks in Ankara on Friday. Reuters

Turkey calls for diplomacy from Greece and warns of 'painful experiences'


Simon Rushton
  • English
  • Arabic

Turkey has warned Greece to talk or face the consequences as the two clash over disputed waters in the Eastern Mediterranean, where rich gas and oil reserves are expected to be found.

“They’re either going to understand the language of politics and diplomacy, or in the field with painful experiences,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday.

Tension between the Nato allies has risen as the neighbours, with many long-simmering disputes, send naval and air forces.

“They are going to understand that Turkey has the political, economic and military power to tear up the immoral maps and documents imposed,” Mr Erdogan said.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of a hospital in Istanbul, he said Turkey was “ready for every eventuality and result”.

The Cumhuriyet newspaper reported that 40 tanks were being moved to north-west Turkey and carried photographs of armoured vehicles loaded on lorries.

Tension between Greece, an EU member, and Turkey escalated close to breaking point in recent weeks over access to Economic Exclusive Zones around Greek islands in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Map shows competing maritime borders according to agreements made by Athens and Cairo, Tripoli and Ankara
Map shows competing maritime borders according to agreements made by Athens and Cairo, Tripoli and Ankara

Greece and the EU have said Turkey’s exploration operations in the area are illegal.

Turkey has said it should have access to waters on the islands because they lie on its continental shelf.

The clashes are also happening in waters near Cyprus, another EU member.

Nato arranged for Greek and Turkish military officers to begin talks to try to reduce the risk of armed conflict or accidents.

  • Greek warships take part in military exercises in Eastern Mediterranean sea, as tensions rise with Turkey over the waters. Greek Defense Ministry/AP
    Greek warships take part in military exercises in Eastern Mediterranean sea, as tensions rise with Turkey over the waters. Greek Defense Ministry/AP
  • The Greek air force joined the exercises. Greek Defense Ministry/AP
    The Greek air force joined the exercises. Greek Defense Ministry/AP
  • The Tonnerre is escorted by Greek and French military vessels. Greek National Defence/AP)
    The Tonnerre is escorted by Greek and French military vessels. Greek National Defence/AP)
  • 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)
    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)
  • The Turkish seismic research vessel 'Oruc Reis' heading west of Antalya in the Mediterranean Sea. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP
    The Turkish seismic research vessel 'Oruc Reis' heading west of Antalya in the Mediterranean Sea. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP
  • Tension are high between Greece and Turkey, over the 'Oruc-Reis' and its mission in the eastern Mediterranean. IHA via AP
    Tension are high between Greece and Turkey, over the 'Oruc-Reis' and its mission in the eastern Mediterranean. IHA via AP
  • 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
    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
  • Turkish ships accompany the 'Oruc Reis,' a seismic research vessel. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP
    Turkish ships accompany the 'Oruc Reis,' a seismic research vessel. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP
  • Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for dialogue while still pushing ahead with a Mediterranean gas development plan that has outraged Greece. AFP
    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for dialogue while still pushing ahead with a Mediterranean gas development plan that has outraged Greece. AFP
  • Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned of the potential for a mishap with Greek and Turkish navies both in the area.. EPA
    Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned of the potential for a mishap with Greek and Turkish navies both in the area.. EPA
  • France will strengthen its military presence in the eastern Mediterranean. Reuters
    France will strengthen its military presence in the eastern Mediterranean. Reuters

Simulated dogfights between Greek and Turkish fighter pilots have occurred over the Aegean Sea and the eastern Mediterranean, and two ships collided in August.

France, Italy and the UAE have all sent forces to join war games with either Greece or Cyprus in recent weeks.

Egypt has signed an energy exploration deal with Athens for the Mediterranean.

The EU has also threatened possible sanctions against Turkey over what it says are illegal actions.

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Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha

Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar

Director: Neeraj Pandey

Rating: 2.5/5

Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

Bio

Born in Dibba, Sharjah in 1972.
He is the eldest among 11 brothers and sisters.
He was educated in Sharjah schools and is a graduate of UAE University in Al Ain.
He has written poetry for 30 years and has had work published in local newspapers.
He likes all kinds of adventure movies that relate to his work.
His dream is a safe and preserved environment for all humankind. 
His favourite book is The Quran, and 'Maze of Innovation and Creativity', written by his brother.

Day 5, Dubai Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Given the problems Sri Lanka have had in recent times, it was apt the winning catch was taken by Dinesh Chandimal. He is one of seven different captains Sri Lanka have had in just the past two years. He leads in understated fashion, but by example. His century in the first innings of this series set the shock win in motion.

Stat of the day This was the ninth Test Pakistan have lost in their past 11 matches, a run that started when they lost the final match of their three-Test series against West Indies in Sharjah last year. They have not drawn a match in almost two years and 19 matches, since they were held by England at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi in 2015.

The verdict Mickey Arthur basically acknowledged he had erred by basing Pakistan’s gameplan around three seam bowlers and asking for pitches with plenty of grass in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Why would Pakistan want to change the method that has treated them so well on these grounds in the past 10 years? It is unlikely Misbah-ul-Haq would have made the same mistake.

UAE tour of the Netherlands

UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures:
Monday, 1st 50-over match
Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match

Company profile

Name: Thndr

Started: October 2020

Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: FinTech

Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000

Funding stage: series A; $20 million

Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC,  Rabacap and MSA Capital