ANKARA, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Turkey on Wednesday rejected a claim by Greece accusing it of "illegal exploration" in the eastern Mediterranean.
"Greece raised objections to the current survey activity and claimed that the survey area is within its own continental shelf," Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hami Aksoy said.
On Tuesday, Ankara issued a Navigational Telex (NAVTEX) advisory that Turkish seismic survey vessel Oruc Reis would launch a new seismic survey in the region as part of its ongoing hydrocarbon exploration activities in the eastern Mediterranean, the spokesperson said in a written statement.
The Greek foreign ministry on Tuesday said the Turkish NAVTEX covers a part of the Greek continental shelf.
"We call on Turkey to immediately cease these illegal actions which violate our sovereign rights and undermine peace and security in the area," the Greek foreign ministry said in a statement. Enditem
