Turkey doubles down on upstream adventurism

Ankara extends timeframes of controversial activities off the Greek and Cypriot coasts, upping the chances of military confrontation

Three Turkish survey vessels that have drawn Cypriot and Greek ire for operating in their internationally recognised waters have had the tenures of their operations extended, following the failure of an emergency meeting of EU foreign ministers in mid-August to agree a ­common response. Turkey’s Yavuz drillship, in place southwest of Cyprus since April, will remain in the area through to September, while research vessels Oruc Reis and Barbaros Hayrettin will continue seismic surveys throughout ­August. Particular attention is focused on the Oruc Reis, which is surveying an area between Crete and Cyprus claimed by Greece. It is being escorted by Turkish naval vessels and shadowed by Greek and