Turkey reduced the number of ships in the Eastern Mediterranean, Greece says it is ready for negotiations

Turkey has reduced the number of ships in the Eastern Mediterranean, an area where it disputes Greece's right to search for oil and gas, the country's authorities announced today.

Tensions over the long-standing dispute flared last Sunday when Turkey announced plans to send a research vessel south of the Greek islands of Rhodes, Karpathos and Kastolerizo.

Turkey's initiative was publicly criticized by the US, France and other European countries, and the Turkish research vessel remained anchored in the port of Antalya.

The Greek Government announced that Turkey is withdrawing ships from the Eastern Mediterranean and added that Athens is still ready for negotiations with Turkey "within the framework of respect for international law and good neighborly relations".

Turkey accuses Greece of trying to exclude it from the exploitation of minerals in the eastern Mediterranean, arguing that Greek islands should not be included in the calculation of exclusive economic zones.

Athens believes that this position of Turkey is a violation of international law.

Turkish authorities say the research mission plan will remain in place until August 2.