Turkey issues new threat to Greece over tensions in eastern Mediterranean

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday issued a new threat to Greece over continuing simmering tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, the day before his forces were due to commence military exercises in the region.

Turkey and Greece, both Nato members, have been embroiled in an increasingly heated dispute over gas and oil in the region since Turkey deployed an exploration vessel last month. 

"They will understand that Turkey has the political, economic and military strength to tear up immoral maps and documents," Erdogan said in a televised speech. He was referring to contested areas claimed by Greece and Cyprus as their exclusive economic zones. 

"They will either understand the language of politics and diplomacy, or on the field through bitter experiences," the Turkish leader warned. "As Turkey and the Turkish people, we are ready for every possibility and every consequence."

'They will either understand the language of politics and diplomacy, or on the field through bitter experiences'

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Nato announced this week that Greek and Turkish leaders had agreed to take part in technical talks in order to avoid accidents between their navies. But Greece later said it had not agreed to the talks, leading to accusations from Turkey that the EU country was shunning dialogue.

Both Greece and Cyprus have accused Turkey of breaching their sovereignty by drilling in their waters.

But Erdogan made it clear that he would not compromise, saying: "Turkey is ready for any kind of sharing [of energy resources] as long as it is fair."

On 10 August, Turkey deployed the Oruc Reis research vessel and an escorting flotilla of warships to the waters between Cyprus and the Greek islands of Kastellorizo and Crete.

The vessel's stay in the contested waters has been extended three times. 

Greece responded by staging naval exercises with several EU allies and the United Arab Emirates, not far from smaller ones that Turkey conducted between Cyprus and Crete last week.

Turkish defence officials said they would start five days of military exercises on Sunday in the breakaway republic of northern Cyprus - an entity recognised only by Ankara.