Ankara has canceled the visit of Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya to Athens, which was scheduled for Tuesday.
The Turkish interior minister was set to make a day journey to Athens for a working lunch with Greek Minister for Citizen Protection Michalis Chrisochoidis, Maritime Affairs Minister Christos Stylianides and Migration Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos. The assembly was meant to deal with migration and safety points.
On Monday at midday, Athens obtained notification from Ankara that the visit had been canceled, with no additional rationalization supplied.
Sources counsel that the Greek aspect attributes the cancellation to escalating tensions between Athens and Ankara in latest days, which have undermined the beforehand constructive environment between the 2 international locations.
Additionally, it stays unsure whether or not the scheduled conferences between the Greek and Turkish coast guards, anticipated to happen this summer season, will happen.
Last Tuesday, Turkish naval vessels gathered close to the islands of Kassos and Karpathos whereas the Italian analysis vessel Ievoli Relume was conducting research for a submarine energy link between Crete and Cyprus. Although the vessel had Greek authorization, Turkish warships issued warnings, claiming that it was working in waters Turkey considers a part of its continental shelf.
By late Wednesday, the Ievoli Relume had accomplished its analysis and departed for Iraklio, Crete, following diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the state of affairs.
