As Bloomberg reports, Turkey began drilling in new areas in the southwest coast of Cyprus Tuesday, in a move that could further increase tensions with the European Union , Greece and France, resulting in increased military presence in the region.

President Erdogan has vowed to defend Turkey’s rights and urged Mediterranean countries to come together and resolve differences over a phone call with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Monday.

Ankara continued explorations in disputed waters of the eastern Mediterranean last week after German-mediated negotiations with Greece fell through when Athens announced a maritime delimitation agreement with Egypt on 6 August in retaliation for a similar agreement between Turkey and Libya.

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The eastern Mediterranean has become the focus of natural resources production, with Cyprus, Israel and Egypt announcing huge deposits in recent years and Turkey pushing to secure a share of the deposits. Turkey is defying the European Union’s warnings a stance that its unilateral actions in territorial disputes with Greece and Cyprus could further worsen relations.

Following the deployment of the Oruc Reis south of Kastelorizo ​​last week, Turkey began operating a second drilling rig – the 230-meter (755-foot) Yavuz – on Tuesday. Accompanied by three offshore supply ships under the protection of the Turkish Navy.

“All vessels are advised not to enter this area ,” a Turkish naval website said on Saturday, as it designated exploration areas that would be closed until September 15th.