Eastern Mediterranean

Even before counting Ukrainian refugees, Europe saw migrant arrivals at levels not seen since the 2015-16 crisis this year.

Turkey’s Vice President Fuat Oktay and Defence Minister Hulusi Akar launched a barrage of threats toward NATO ally Greece this week, as tensions between the two countries remain high.

The Greek government has decided to extend the border wall with Turkey so that the fence will cover the entire length of the land frontier with the hostile Islamist-led country.

The Greek government has called on Germany to halt the sale of attack submarines to Turkey, arguing that the sale could upset the naval balance of power in the region as tensions with the Islamist-led country remain high.

Greece’s Defence Minister has announced that the country, often menaced by Turkey, will no longer be shipping weapons to Ukraine, as it requires arms for its own defence needs.

Hungarian foreign minister Peter Szijjártó has praised the Egyptian government for its commitment to stopping illegal migrants who wish to depart from its coast for Europe.

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias addressed Turkey’s recent actions in the Eastern Mediterranean this week, telling the country, “the days of the Ottoman Empire are over.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he wants to improve relations between Turkey and the European Union, after years of making repeated threats towards the political bloc and Greece.

Turkish government communications director Fahrettin Altun has claimed the eastern Mediterranean Sea as part of his country’s “blue homeland”, as tensions remain high in the region.

NATO head Jens Stoltenberg has called on countries to resolve issues through dialogue as the European Union explores sanctions against Turkey over its activity in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias warned that continued Turkish actions in the Eastern Mediterranean were threatening peace in the region.

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sunday that Turkey sees itself as a part of Europe, but he called on the European Union to “keep your promises” on issues such as the country’s membership bid and refugees.

The Greek government is reportedly deploying sound cannons to repel illegal migrants attempting to force its land border or reach its territory by boat.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to respond to Greece in the Mediterranean sea after claiming that both Greece and Cyprus have failed to live up to promises made during recent negotiations.

ABOARD THE INS LAHAV — After a coronavirus-related delay, Israel’s navy is preparing for the long-awaited arrival of its next generation of missile boats — giving it a powerful new tool to defend its strategic natural gas industry from the threat of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

ATHENS, Greece (AP) – Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is preparing to outline Saturday the details of a program to boost Greece’s defence capabilities, amid heightened tensions with neighbouring Turkey over rights to resources in the eastern Mediterranean.

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday warned Greece to enter talks over disputed eastern Mediterranean territorial claims or face the consequences.

ATHENS, Greece (AP) – Greece’s prime minister warmly thanked France Thursday for boosting its military presence in the eastern Mediterranean, where Greek and Turkish warships are closely shadowing each other over a Turkish energy exploration bid in waters Athens claims as its own.

Former Italian Interior Minister Marco Minniti has warned that potential government collapse in Lebanon following the Beirut blast could trigger a domino effect and sweep chaos across the Mediterranean.

Israel, Greece, and Cyprus signed a historic agreement Thursday for the Eastern Mediterranean project that will see Israeli gas delivered to Europe via an undersea pipeline, overturning Turkey’s efforts to thwart the deal.

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Lebanon on Friday signed its first contract to drill for oil and gas off its coast with a consortium comprising energy giants Total, ENI, and Novatek, including in a block disputed by Israel.

Israel is boosting spending on its navy to better protect offshore oil and gas deposits and secure a large maritime zone that abuts that of its neighbour and enemy, Lebanon.

Greek company Energean Oil & Gas plans to build its own production system in the eastern Mediterranean at a cost of up to $1.5 billion to tap two Israeli offshore gas fields, the group’s chief executive said on Wednesday.

The partners in the Leviathan natural gas field off Israel’s coast said on Thursday they signed a deal worth about $2 billion to supply gas to Dalia Power Engines.

Israel has approved a deal it hopes will fast-track development of the huge Leviathan offshore natural gas field and end years of regulatory uncertainty that has stifled the country’s nascent oil and gas industry.

The Independent reports:  The Middle East has just experienced its worst drought in more than 900 years, a Nasa report has found. Scientists said that a 15-year dry spell in the eastern Mediterranean, which ended in 2012 and is thought to be

Israel, Cyprus and Greece have agreed to deepen their energy, security and tourism ties in the Eastern Mediterranean, a deal that may have implications for Israel’s testy relationship with the European Union, too. The agreement, signed in Nicosia last week

Ynetnews reports  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Cypriot President Nikos Anastasiades and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Nicosia on Thursday to discuss cooperation in the fields of energy, tourism, research and technology, environment, water management, combating terrorism, and