Greek - Turkish standoff: The situation is still highly volatile

Sources familiar with the situation in the Aegean have said that the government is closely monitoring the movements of the Turks and is responding vigorously and calmly where needed. However, they emphasize that Tayyip Erdogan is unpredictable and as "no one can see inside his head", the Greek side is on alert until the NAVTEX is over and the Hellenic Navy is sweeping the wider area where the "Oruc Reis" might sail.

The current situation in the Aegean

The tense situation in the Aegean remains unchanged, as the Turkish warships remain at sea, as confirmed by the Hellenic Armed Forces General Staff (GEETHA) on Wednesday night. 

The Greek fleet remains on alert in the Aegean and is monitoring the movements of Turkish ships, which left the Aegean a few hours after the issuance of the illegal Navtex by Turkey, which binds the area SE of ​​Kastelorizo ​​within the Greek continental shelf for research. At the same time, the focus remains on the Turkish research vessel Oruc Reis, which appears to be located in the Gulf of Antalya.

Ankara maintains high tones

At the same time, Ankara maintains its high tones, according to information from the Turkish media following yesterday's Security Council meeting under Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In particular, the Turkish National Security Council reiterated "Turkey 's determination to defend its rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean, as set out in international law."

At the same time, with regard to Greece and Cyprus, in Article 4, Turkey states its determination not to allow countries that are unaware of the existence of the Turkish community and its rights to harm the environment of stability.

Yeni Safak: Turkey's 15 warships, fighters and drones in the Aegean

The great mobilization of the Turkish military forces in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean is revealed by an article in the Turkish newspaper Yeni Safak.

The pro-government newspaper initially reported on Oruc Reis' journey and the seismic surveys that were announced it would carry out around Kastellorizo. Yeni Safak focuses on the "alarm" signaled to the Greek authorities by Turkey's NAVTEX, emphasizing that the leaves of the Hellenic Army personnel were suspended and that the head of the General Staff, General Konstantinos Floros, returned to Greece from Cyprus in a hurry.

The daily points out that General Floros's controversial phrase ("the three dimensions are separated: land, sea and air, which we aspire to dominate in if and when required") mobilized the Turkish Armed Forces. The report mentions the low flights made by the Turkish F-16s around Kastelorizo, that 15 Turkish Navy ships took up positions in the area, while it is noted that reconnaissance flights were also launched by Turkish drones (UAVs).

In statements to Yeni Safak, retired Admiral Cem Gurdeniz claims that Turkey is ahead of Greece by "1-0", as it declared a continental shelf in the region and that Greece can not issue NAVTEX precisely because it has not declared a continental shelf.

Navtex, Hagia Sophia and the Treaty of Lausanne

July 24 is considered crucial for the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, as Greek MoD circles estimate that Tayyip Erdogan may decide to sail Oruc Reis to the Greek continental shelf, in order to connect Ankara's aspirations with the first Muslim prayer in the Hagia Sophia which is scheduled for tomorrow, Friday.

July 24 has an additional symbolism for Tayyip Erdogan, as it is the day of the signing of the Lausanne Treaty, which the Turkish president has repeatedly disputed.