"Under the international convention on the law of the sea, a large part
of this area includes a continental shelf belonging to Greece," Greek
Foreign Ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos said.
Malene Ostervold was accompanied by a Turkish Naval frigate, Gediz.
Within hours, the Hellenic Navy sent a missile boat, Polemistis, in what
threatened to spark a confrontation with Ankara.
"This sort of research requires permission from Greek authorities," the
Greek General Staff said.
Officials said Athens contacted Norway and demanded that Malene
Ostervold leave the area. By Nov. 15, the Norwegian ship left Kastellorizo,
but returned hours later.
Koumoutsakos said Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis called her
Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store, to demand that Malene Ostervold
leave the disputed area. The Greek spokesman said the oil exploration
operation was suspended and the Norwegian ship departed.
"The Norwegian research ship informed [the Hellenic Navy] with a
relevant message that it is stopping research activities in the specific
region," Koumoutsakos said.