Turkish Naval Commander Admiral Bülent Bostanoğlu told Turkish Hurriyet newspaper on Sunday that the Turkish government is implementing recently amended rules of engagement in the eastern Mediterranean. He said that the Turkish Navy is on a reconnoitering mission in the area that it plans to continue to pursuit.

Asked what would happen if a Turkish vessel were to confront Greek or Israeli warships in the eastern Mediterranean, Mr. Bostanoğlu said: “The Turkish Navy is providing support and close protection to the Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa Research Vessel. It also is keeping surveillance of a drill ship hired by the Greek Cypriot administration from a distance of 9km. The order for us at the moment is not to enter this 9km area. That’s why no incident of harrassment or disturbance has occured.”

The Greek side has played down comments made by the Turkish admiral following the Cairo Declaration signed by Greece, Cyprus and Egypt on Saturday that called for an end to Turkish provocation in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Cyprus. His comments are viewed as statements made for internal consumption.