EastMed diplomatic marathon in full swing

European Council President Charles Michel on Thursday held a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to the former’s spokesman Barend Leyts.

No details were immediately available about the content of the call which took place a day ahead of Friday’s emergency meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council amid a sharp increase in tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Reports earlier Thursday said that Erdogan held a telephone call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

According to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency, Erdogan told Merkel he was in favor of dialogue in the framework of international law.

Mitsotakis, Merkel speak ahead of Friday’s EU meeting

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has held a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel ahead of Friday’s emergency meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council, according to reports.

According to the same reports, Mitsotakis briefed Merkel on Turkey’s illegal activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.

No further details were immediately available about the call.

Turkey’s East Med activities a threat to all states in region, says Dendias during Israel visit

Turkey’s illegal activities in the Eastern Mediterraenan undermine stability and security and are a threat to all countries in the region, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said during a visit to Israel on Thursday.

Dendias, who met with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi, said he had thanked the country for its expression of solidarity with Greece over Turkey’s operations in the Eastern Mediterranean which have led to an escalation in tensions.