US calls to 'reduce tension' after Turkey announces extended mission in Mediterranean

Turkish navy plans to drill off south-western Cyprus from next week

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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

The US said there was an "urgent need to reduce tensions" after talking to Turkey about a naval mission in the disputed waters of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu after the Turkish navy said it planned to extend its mission by drilling off the south-western coast of Cyprus from next week.

The US has repeated its warnings to Turkey against the exploration voyage after siding with Greece on Friday.

Mr Pompeo said he and Mr Cavusoglu discussed "the urgent need to reduce tensions".

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left and Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu before a meeting, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Sunday, on August 16, 2020. Mr Cavusoglu and Mr Pompeo attended the swearing-in ceremony of Dominican Republic's President Luis Abinader. AP

Mr Cavusoglu said he had explained the "rightful cause" pursued by Turkey over the disputed territory in the Mediterranean.

Turkey sent a scientific boat, the Oruc Reis, on a voyage into the disputed waters last week accompanied by a small navy fleet, prompting Greece to send its own navy to observe.

The Turkish navy said on Saturday that the drilling ship Yavuz,  which has been based off Cyprus for the past few months, will explore off the island from August 18 to September 15.

The EU urged Turkey to turn back.

"This action runs counter and undermines efforts to resume dialogue and negotiations, and to pursue immediate de-escalation, which is the only path towards stability and lasting solutions, as reiterated by EU foreign ministers last Friday," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.

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

"I call on the Turkish authorities to end these activities immediately and to engage fully and in good faith in a broad dialogue with the European Union."

It is the latest flashpoint in a years-long dispute between Turkey and Greece over rights to the resource-rich waters, and the search for oil and gas.

At the heart of the disagreement are overlapping claims to parts of the eastern Mediterranean Sea 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 Oruc Reis,  which is between Cyprus and the Greek island of Crete, will continue work until August 23, Mr Erdogan said on Saturday.