ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece has accused neighbor Turkey of severely escalating tension and undermining efforts to ease a crisis over drilling rights in the eastern Mediterranean. The comments came after a Turkish survey vessel renewed an energy exploration mission in disputed waters. The spat over sea boundaries has prompted fears of a confrontation between the two NATO members. Turkish authorities said the Oruc Reis vessel was due to return to the region through Oct. 22. Greece’s Foreign Ministry on Monday called the decision a “major escalation and a direct threat to peace and security in the region.” The German foreign minister, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, will fly to Cyprus and Greece for talks on Tuesday.
