On Sunday, Turkey withdrew the Oruc Reis research vessel and the accompanying warships from the Mediterranean back to the port of Antalya. This is after violating the Greek and Cypriot continental shelf and maritime space for over a month.
The Turkish step was taken following widespread criticism and pressure from the international community and pledges to impose sanctions on Ankara. Hours earlier, the United States demanded a halt to Ankara’s illegal activities, during a visit by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Cyrpus.
In an official statement, Greece welcomed Turkey’s withdrawal of the ship from the eastern Mediterranean, and considered the step “positive.”
Furthermore, Greek Minister of Development, Adonis Georgiadis said: “They are beginning to understand that this policy of provocations is not leading them anywhere.”
The Development Minister said that Ankara is starting to think twice and is slowly withdrawing its challenges, “because I think it is unthinkable for Recep Tayyib Erdogan to put up with the whole civilised world.”
