The EU should impose "meaningful sanctions" on Ankara to deter it from carrying out hydrocarbon exploration activities in the contested waters, says Greece's PM.

Cyprus demands the EU impose similar measures on Turkey over its hydrocarbon activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, according to reports.

While the debates on drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean have been around since 2010, tensions have escalated especially in the last two months. But what has changed in these two months? What is happening in the region?

Led by France, the European Union (EU) countries with a coastline on the Mediterranean Sea will come together in an unofficial meeting in Corsica Island and discuss the recent escalation of tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The meeting that was initially scheduled for Tuesday will take place at NATO's headquarters in Brussels, according to sources from the Ministry of Defense.

"This is a case where there hasn't been proper transparency in the justice process and clearly those responsible should be prosecuted, and, and given sentences commensurate with the crime," a UN spokesperson has said.

Shariatmadari has been seeking refuge in Turkey after she was convicted in her country for violating the compulsory headscarf law.

Noting that the main issue on the agenda of EU leaders’ summit will be Eastern Mediterranean, France’s Foreign Minister Le Drian has accused Erdoğan of “creating an Islamic national atmosphere to conceal the reality of the economic situation in Turkey.”

After his meeting with France's Macron and Iraqi leaders, Barzani arrived in Ankara.

Mitsotakis' remarks came after the NATO chief said yesterday that Athens and Ankara agreed to enter into talks for deconfliction.

"Greece and Turkey are valued Allies, and NATO is an important platform for consultations on all issues that affect our shared security," Stoltenberg has said.

Russia will conduct gunnery drills on both sides of the Cyprus island until September 25, according to the Navtex alert.

"We are urging everyone to stand down, to reduce tensions and begin to have diplomatic discussions about the conflicts that exist there in the eastern Mediterranean," the US Secretary of State has said.

"We find ironic the fight over fossil fuels, which are proved to be the main reason for climate change, which threatens the entire planet," the WINPEACE has stated.

Activist Martin Kochesoko is facing up to 10 years in prison for possession of illegal drugs.

Çavuşoğlu has made remarks on the Eastern Mediterranean crisis and developments in Libya.

"Turkey calls on Greece, among others, to respect international law, instead of militarizing the Aegean islands and laying claim to our Blue Homeland," Altun has said.

As Turkey extended Oruç Reis ship's energy exploration activities, Greece responded with a counter Navtex.

High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs Borrell has urged Turkey to abstain from any unilateral actions amid increasing tensions between Turkey and Greece. Merkel has called on EU countries to be on the side of Greece.

Speaking with Josep Borell about Germany’s efforts to ease tensions between Turkey and Greece, Defense Minister Kramp-Karrenbauer said that the talks were “really hard on the Turkish side,” unaware that her microphone was on.