Merkel decries Turkey's actions in east Mediterranean Sea, as regrettable

Merkel at a press conference for journalists in EU summit in Brussels" We agreed on the unilateral measures taken by Turkey recently, being clearly considered provocative, it necessary to diminish the tensions rather than increase it, this behavior is extremely unfortunate and unnecessary."

On Friday, European Council President Charles Michel condemned what he considered "provocations" by Turkey, criticizing Ankara's resumption of gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean.

Recently, Turkey has pull out the vessel from the disputed water in the Mediterranean Sea to grant the chance for holding negotiations, before an EU summit that seeks imposing sanctions on Turkey.

However, Ankara has returned to send the research vessel "Urtch Raeis" to explore for oil and gas in the eastern Mediterranean, specifically near the Greek island of Castillo Rizzo.

Ankara also announced the conduct of military exercises with live ammunition in the Aegean Sea, in response to what Turkish officials describe as the transfer of weapons by the Greek authorities to islands close to the Turkish mainland.

T/S

ANHA