Türkiye insists on grey zone tactics, even as discussions are underway between Athens and Ankara to determine the final date for the Supreme Cooperation Council between the two countries to be held in February.

The Turkish Defense Ministry, in a statement, argued that the NAVTEX for the Aegean is not for two years, but “has been issued indefinitely.

“Our naval notices (NAVTEX), which are like technical objections regarding Greece’s activities in the Aegean Sea that are contrary to international law, are not of two-year duration, as the Greek press claims, but have been issued indefinitely,” the ministry said in a statement.

In the same statement, Ankara even calls for coordination between Greece and Turkey “for all research activities falling within the shelf in the Aegean Sea as well as within the maritime zones of jurisdiction.”

It also raises the issue of demilitarization of the islands, saying that “conducting military activities, which may endanger the safety of navigation, in areas that include the territorial waters of islands with civilian status is contrary to international treaties.”