Greece: ready to respond to Turkish provocations

 "Turkey cannot infringe on the sovereign rights of Greece enshrined in international law," the minister said in a statement posted on the ministry's official website

He added: "Our positions on this issue are specific, and Turkey has been repeatedly informed of these positions. Greece has been and will continue to be fully prepared to respond to these provocations."

Dundias warning comes after Turkey announced its intention to start drilling for oil in the eastern Mediterranean, within three or four months, according to an agreement signed by Ankara with the government of Fayez al-Sarraj, which controls Tripoli.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the start of the Turkish ship Fatih sailing to explore for oil and gas in the Black Sea, Turkish Energy Minister Fatih Donmez said that the Turkish Petroleum Corporation will begin exploration operations in the eastern Mediterranean regions.

Al-Sarraj government signed an agreement with Turkey to demarcate the sea border last year, which was condemned by several countries in the region, including Greece and Cyprus, as illegal.

The EU also opposed the maritime agreement, which was signed alongside an agreement under which Turkey provides military support to Tripoli militias that support Al-Sarraj government, and has been fighting the National Army for more than a year.

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ANHA