Greece, Turkey agree on "general principles" for de-escalation efforts

Turkey and Greece reached a common understanding of the "general principles" in military delegations meeting at the NATO headquarters, which aimed at de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Turkish Defense Ministry said on Thursday, reported Xinhua.

"As a result of meetings between military delegations at NATO Headquarters, Turkey and Greece have reached a common understanding of the general principles. The next meeting, where the technical details of the coordination to be carried out for the safe functioning of the elements in the Eastern Mediterranean will be discussed, is planned to be held at NATO Headquarters on Oct. 5, 2020," said the ministry in a written statement.

Athens and Ankara have established a military deconfliction mechanism following a series of technical talks in Brussels, a NATO statement also said on Thursday.

"The mechanism is designed to reduce the risk of incidents and accidents in the Eastern Mediterranean. It includes the creation of a hotline between Greece and Turkey, to facilitate de-confliction at sea or in the air," the statement said.

Tensions rose between Turkey and Greece over energy explorations in the Eastern Mediterranean waters in recent weeks.

Turkey dispatched its seismic survey vessel, escorted by Turkish warships, to the Eastern Mediterranean after Greece and Egypt signed a maritime border agreement for the region.

Greece, which has called on Turkey to withdraw vessels from the area, also deployed warships to monitor the vessel.

NATO secretary-general initiated deconfliction talks between Ankara and Athens and the military delegations met in NATO headquarters for several times.