The Turkish Ministry of National Defense announced that it will hold a joint military exercise in the south of the island of Crete with allied warships on 26 August.

This announcement came as Turkey announced that it would extend its hydrocarbon exploration until 27 August using its research vessel, Oruç Reis.

International initiatives have been launched to reduce tensions in the region.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas plans to be in Athens and Ankara on Tuesday.

German Foreign Ministry spokesman, Christofer Burger, told reporters in Berlin that if a third party was invited to resolve the dispute between the two countries: “If both sides want this, it cannot be opposed. From our standpoint, there should be direct dialogue between the two sides to reduce tensions”.

However, Burger added that Turkey’s decision to extend the time it undertakes surveys using its research vessel, Oruç Reis, was a “wrong signal”.

”Now, we need signals to reduce the tension”, he said.