Turkey ups the stakes in SE Med

"The rules of engagement have been delivered to the Turkish Navy and the last will act accordingly," was the statement of the Turkish Navy chief.

The statements made by Admiral Bulent were told to reporters, concerning queries on the naval exercise "Blue Whale" when he was asked if the exercises are associated with tension in the region and said that they are held every two years, and were intended to develop the ability to cooperate with allies."

Asked what would happen if the ships of the Turkish Navy in the Mediterranean meet ships of Greece or Israel, the Turkish admiral said, "we will move according to the rules of engagement that we have been given. The rules of engagement have been delivered by the prime minister's office to the armed forces general staff, and from there to the Navy General Staff. Our forces will continue their activities in the area to allow our situational awareness. "

Meanwhile, the Turkish admiral reiterated that "the Turkish armed forces closely protect support research vessel “Barbaros Chairetin Pasha" and are watching the research vessel chartered by the “Greek Cypriot administration of Southern Cyprus,” as he called thelawful and internationally recognized Republic of Cyprus.from a distance of 900 kilometers with orders not to violate that distance.

This morning Turkey replied to the Cairo Summit with new provocations, demanding a lenghty freeze aof any research by Cyprus, as a condition for the recall of “Barbaros.”