A Hellenic Navy vessel patrols the waters around the tiny Greek island of Kastellorizo, two kilometers from the Turkish mainland on August 28. AFP
A Hellenic Navy vessel patrols the waters around the tiny Greek island of Kastellorizo, two kilometers from the Turkish mainland on August 28. AFP
A Hellenic Navy vessel patrols the waters around the tiny Greek island of Kastellorizo, two kilometers from the Turkish mainland on August 28. AFP
A Hellenic Navy vessel patrols the waters around the tiny Greek island of Kastellorizo, two kilometers from the Turkish mainland on August 28. AFP

Europe

EU pushes for dialogue to resolve tension with Turkey

Ankara accuses Greece of ‘piracy’ as eastern Mediterranean dispute continues to escalate

Arthur Scott-Geddes
Arthur Scott-Geddes

August 31, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

The European Union’s executive body on Monday called for dialogue with Turkey and demanded Ankara stop stoking tensions in the eastern Mediterranean.

The EU has already moved towards sanctions if dialogue did not help calm the dispute, a spokesman for the European Commission told a briefing on Monday.

Foreign ministers from each of the EU’s 27 member states last week discussed the rising tensions between Greece and Cyprus and Turkey.

A senior EU diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, on Friday said: “As well as sticks (sanctions), there will be carrots too to get Ankara to engage seriously in dialogue. These carrots could be progress on a new customs union and more money for the refugee programme.”

In the latest escalation of the row over gas exploration in the region, Turkey on Monday accused Greece of “piracy” and attempting to militarise an island at the centre of the dispute.

Greece claims that the waters around the island – known as Kastellorizo in Greece and Meis in Turkey – are under Greek sovereignty and opposes any Turkish exploration nearby. The island sits two kilometres off the Turkish coast.

Images published in the media last week showed Greek soldiers arriving on the Island.

Images showing Greek soldiers landing on Kastellorizo prompted an angry response from Ankara. AFP
Images showing Greek soldiers landing on Kastellorizo prompted an angry response from Ankara. AFP

"Greece's attempt to arm the island of Meis is an example of a new piracy," said Omer Celik, spokesman for Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party.

"Greece will learn we will have a strong answer to every step it takes," he added.

The Turkish foreign ministry on Sunday said the island was "under a demilitarised status established with the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty".

"Such provocative actions will prove useless for Greece," the Turkish ministry added.

Athens has issued no official comment on the two neighbours' latest dispute.

War games roll on as tensions between Ankara and Paris rise

Greek warships take part in military exercises in Eastern Mediterranean sea, as tensions rise with Turkey over the waters. Greek Defense Ministry/AP
Greek warships take part in military exercises in Eastern Mediterranean sea, as tensions rise with Turkey over the waters. Greek Defense Ministry/AP
The Greek air force joined the exercises. Greek Defense Ministry/AP
The Greek air force joined the exercises. Greek Defense Ministry/AP
The Tonnerre is escorted by Greek and French military vessels. Greek National Defence/AP)
The Tonnerre is escorted by Greek and French military vessels. Greek National Defence/AP)
The French Tonnerre helicopter carrier, rear left, is escorted by Greek and French military vessels during a maritime exercise in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Greek and Turkish warships are also closely shadowing each other. (Greek National Defence/AP)
The French Tonnerre helicopter carrier, rear left, is escorted by Greek and French military vessels during a maritime exercise in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Greek and Turkish warships are also closely shadowing each other. (Greek National Defence/AP)
The Turkish seismic research vessel 'Oruc Reis' heading west of Antalya in the Mediterranean Sea. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP
The Turkish seismic research vessel 'Oruc Reis' heading west of Antalya in the Mediterranean Sea. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP
Tension are high between Greece and Turkey, over the 'Oruc-Reis' and its mission in the eastern Mediterranean. IHA via AP
Tension are high between Greece and Turkey, over the 'Oruc-Reis' and its mission in the eastern Mediterranean. IHA via AP
Turkey’s claims to the waters, which it says are on its continental shelf, have repeatedly been dismissed as illegal by Greece and its allies. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP
Turkey’s claims to the waters, which it says are on its continental shelf, have repeatedly been dismissed as illegal by Greece and its allies. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP
Turkish ships accompany the 'Oruc Reis,' a seismic research vessel. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP
Turkish ships accompany the 'Oruc Reis,' a seismic research vessel. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for dialogue while still pushing ahead with a Mediterranean gas development plan that has outraged Greece. AFP
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for dialogue while still pushing ahead with a Mediterranean gas development plan that has outraged Greece. AFP
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned of the potential for a mishap with Greek and Turkish navies both in the area.. EPA
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned of the potential for a mishap with Greek and Turkish navies both in the area.. EPA
France will strengthen its military presence in the eastern Mediterranean. Reuters
France will strengthen its military presence in the eastern Mediterranean. Reuters

Tensions between Greece and Turkey - who are both Nato members - have been rising since Ankara encouraged migrants to flee to Europe by opening its western border in February.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday marked the 98th anniversary of the War of Independence with Greece with inflammatory comments framing the dispute as a "struggle for independence".

Both Greece and Turkey have staged large-scale military exercises in the eastern Mediterranean in recent weeks.

Greece and Cyprus were joined by France, Italy and the United Arab Emirates in carrying out naval and aerial war games in the area.

Turkey began its own manoeuvres off its south coast on Saturday, which are due to last until September 11.

Map shows competing maritime borders according to agreements made by Athens and Cairo, Tripoli and Ankara
Map shows competing maritime borders according to agreements made by Athens and Cairo, Tripoli and Ankara

Tensions are also growing between Turkey and France, another Nato ally, which has thrown its weight behind Greece.

Read More

Erdogan stokes tensions in eastern Mediterranean with claims Turkey in 'struggle for independence'

Turkey's President Erdogan calls leaders of France and Greece 'greedy and incompetent'

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that Paris had adopted a "red-line policy" for Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean, though he also called for dialogue.

"When we talk about sovereignty in the Mediterranean, I must be consistent in actions and words... the Turks only consider and respect that," Mr Macron said.

But Ankara said Turkey would not be pushed around by the French leader.

"Those, who think to have drawn red lines against the righteous cause of Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean, will only face Turkey's firm stance," Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said in a statement late on Sunday.

He called for "those, who are in delusion of grandeur, to face reality," adding that "the era of defining imperialist conceptions by drawing lines on maps is long gone."

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Name: Kumulus Water
 
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Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

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The specs

Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo

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Torque: 520Nm at 1,800-5,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

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Abu Dhabi GP schedule

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Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.

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No more lice

Defining head lice

Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.

Identifying lice

Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.

Treating lice at home

Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.

Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital

The specs

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Power: 170bhp

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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Miguel Cotto world titles:

WBO Light Welterweight champion - 2004-06
WBA Welterweight champion – 2006-08
WBO Welterweight champion – Feb 2009-Nov 2009
WBA Light Middleweight champion – 2010-12
WBC Middleweight champion – 2014-15
WBO Light Middleweight champion – Aug 2017-Dec 2017

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