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Greek, Turkish Leaders Dig in Their Heels in Mediterranean Dispute

VOA News

   Greek and Turkish leaders dug in their heels Wednesday even after their
   foreign ministers proposed talks to settlerival claims to energy-rich
   sections of the Mediterranean.

   Greece announced plansWednesdayto extend its territorial waters along
   its western coastline and held a second day of military exercises in
   waters where Turkeychallenges Greek claims of jurisdiction.

   Turkey carried outmilitaryexercises nearby.

   Greek PrimeMinisterKyriakos Mitsotakis said Athens has the right to
   extend its territorial waters along its western coastline across from
   Italy from11 to 22 kilometers.

   This section of theIonianSea is not part of the dispute with Turkey,
   but Mitsotakis said Greece was giving up years of what it calls a
   "passive" foreign policy.Turkeywouldregard a
   similarextensionintheAegean, which is between Greece and
   Turkey,asblatanthostility.

   "Everyone must see that Turkey is not a country whose patience can be
   tried, whose determination, capabilities and courage can be tested. If
   we say we'll do something we'll do it and pay the price,"Turkish
   President Recep TayyipErdogansaid Wednesday. "If anyone wants to stand
   before us and face the consequences, they are welcome to. If not, stay
   out of our way and we will continue with our work."

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