In the coming days, during November, the French Navy aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is expected to leave from the south of Crete, with which, in fact, both the Navy units (PN) and the Air Force (PA) aviation will conduct joint training. Part of the frigates P.N. join for some time the escort force of an aircraft carrier, which will go south of Crete on the way to Suez, and from there to the Indian Ocean. Charles de Gaulle’s presence in the area is not related to ExxonMobil’s exploration in southwest Crete, but it is yet another move by the French that indicates the will in Paris to continue to maintain a strategic relationship with Greece.

Ankara’s reaction

Manolis Costidis

Turkey is closely following Greece’s announcements regarding seismic surveys that have begun southwest of Crete, as well as south of the Peloponnese. Ankara notes that along with investigations, the issue of expanding territorial waters by 12 miles south of Crete and Kastelorizos, which is associated with the proposal of SYRIZA, as well as with the statements of Kyriakos, has also entered the agenda of Greece. Mitsotakis in relation to the Aegean. However, the actions of the Greek government regarding Crete and the possible expansion of territorial waters 12 miles south of the island are not considered casus belli, as they are not in the Aegean Sea, but analysts estimate that the Turkish reaction may come through Libya.

Greece’s actions so far do not violate any potential sovereign rights of Libya, however, according to political scientists, the government of Tripoli, in order to anticipate Athens’ next steps and create a document in the region for future negotiations, has the opportunity to invite Ankara to send a seismographic vessel and begin research in the area. , where the “potential Greek continental shelf” extends, which Libya regards as the area where its own continental shelf extends. Turkish research vessels or drilling rigs can go to the area based on an agreement signed by the two countries.