Turkish media are linking the return of the research vessel Oruç Reis to the Eastern Mediterranean with the ongoing dispute over the Greece-Cyprus Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), framing the developments as part of a wider contest over energy projects and maritime jurisdiction.
The coverage varies significantly between outlets, with some presenting Ankara’s moves as a demonstration of Turkish influence, while others focus on the competing positions of Turkey and Greece.
Oruç Reis returns to the Eastern Mediterranean
The Oruç Reis has been deployed under Turkey’s NAVTEX 0953/26 for research and subsea work connected to a planned natural gas pipeline between southern Turkey and the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus.
The NAVTEX covers an area extending from Turkey’s southern coast towards the waters south of the northern part of Cyprus. The vessel is accompanied by the Denar Pathfinder, Denar Echo and Kirici.
The planned pipeline is approximately 97 kilometres long underwater and is intended to connect the Anamur area in southern Turkey with the Teknecik power station area.
Turkish media connect the move with GSI
Sözcü’s October 2 report, headlined “We are returning to the Eastern Mediterranean”, explicitly connects the Oruç Reis mission with the planned gas pipeline and places it in the context of the dispute over the GSI.
The newspaper also quotes retired Rear Admiral Cem Gürdeniz, who links the vessel’s deployment to Greece’s position that Turkey’s approval is not required for work on the electricity interconnector.
Other Turkish outlets use stronger language. Yeni Şafak presents the Turkish NAVTEX as having caused concern in Greece, while Yeni Akit describes Greece’s position on Turkish authorisation as a provocation.
Such descriptions reflect the editorial framing of the respective outlets and do not by themselves establish an official Greek reaction or the outcome of the GSI dispute.
Ankara maintains its position on the cable
Turkey’s Defence Ministry has said that activities involving cable or pipeline installation or scientific research in areas it considers part of its continental shelf must be coordinated in advance with Ankara.
The ministry has also said Turkey will not allow what it considers unauthorised activity in those areas.
The position has been reiterated as Greece prepares for the possible resumption of seabed surveys linked to the GSI.
Athens rejects the need for Turkish approval
Greece has maintained a different position.
Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis has said the GSI does not require Turkey’s permission and that such permission will not be sought. He has also distinguished between notification procedures under international law and authorisation by another state.
Gerapetritis has said the project will be licensed by Greece in the maritime jurisdiction where the Greek government considers the project to fall, while established notification procedures, including NAVTEX notices, can be used for navigational safety.
The dispute therefore centres not only on the cable itself but also on the competing positions over maritime jurisdiction and the legal procedures governing works in the area.
Turkish reports claim a setback for GSI
Some Turkish reports have gone further, presenting the latest developments as a setback for the Greece-Cyprus-Israel electricity connection.
Habertürk 7 and Star, for example, have described the developments as a Turkish intervention that disrupted the project. Those reports represent an interpretation of the developments rather than evidence that the GSI has been permanently cancelled.
Greek officials have continued to describe the project as moving forward, with Gerapetritis previously saying work could resume within months and possibly before the end of 2026.
The latest developments leave the GSI dispute closely linked to the broader disagreement between Ankara and Athens over maritime claims and energy infrastructure in the Eastern Mediterranean.
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