BERLIN, Germany (AFP) — Germany on Wednesday criticised naval exercises in the eastern Mediterranean as “not helpful” in easing tensions between Greece and Turkey, at odds over gas and maritime borders.
“What we have to find is a starting point for us to enter once again into political discussions and negotiations,” German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said after talks with her EU counterparts in Berlin.
“The manoeuvres that took place today are certainly not helpful,” she added.
Germany is trying to mediate between Ankara and Athens to get talks back on track to avoid further escalation.
Kramp-Karrenbauer’s comments came after Greece began three days of war games on Wednesday with France, Italy and Cyprus, while Turkey conducted drills with the US navy nearby.
Tensions began escalating when Turkey sent the Oruc Reis research vessel, accompanied by warships, into disputed waters on August 10.
The EU has repeatedly condemned Turkey for carrying out exploratory drilling off Cyprus, but has held back from major punitive sanctions against Ankara for fear of alienating a strategically important neighbour.
EU foreign ministers will discuss the bloc’s overall relations with Turkey during an informal meeting in Berlin on Thursday and Friday.
© Agence France-Presse