The Turkish government continues to demonstrate daily its determination to create a fait accompli in Cyprus and expand the illegal occupation of the northern part of the island to the sea area where the sovereign rights for researching and developing the underwater resources belong exclusively to the Republic of Cyprus.

Realizing that the Turkish aggression is not limited to the diplomatic front, Athens has decided to strengthen its military presence in the Eastern Mediterranean, to ensure that Greece won’t repeat the mistakes of the past that forced the country to make painful concessions.

Following Ankara’s decision to send a research vessel called “Barbaros” within Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone to conduct seismic surveys, as part of a hydrocarbon exploration mission, the diplomatic game in the sea area of Cyprus is getting more complicated by the day, with the Turkish side now planning to bring a drilling platform in the Cypriot EEZ! It is reminded that the Turkish research vessel has been sailing non-stop the waters south of Cyprus, accompanied by four Turkish warships, since early October.

Drawing a red line in respect to Turkish aggression, the Greek government decided to send in the area off the coast of Cyprus a frigate and a submarine. It should be noted that these two vessels are typically sent in EEZ as part of two multinational naval operations.

By strengthening the Greek military presence in Cyprus’ EEZ, Athens is essentially telling Ankara that Greece will cease to pursue a policy of appeasement and that further escalation of the provocations will not be tolerated.