1987 Aegean crisis


1987 Aegean crisis took place in late March between Turkey and Greece, as part of the Aegean dispute. Turkey learned that Greece was starting to drill for oil in the Aegean Sea in the vicinity of Thasos, generally considered Greek but disputed by Turkey. In response, the Turkish survey ship Piri Reis, and later the RV MTA Sismik 1, was sent to the area to conduct survey with an escort of Turkish warships.

Background

Oil was discovered off Thasos, in 1973. Greece claimed ownership of mineral rights in the continental shelf extending from beneath all its islands in the Aegean. Turkey proposed that the continental shelf be divided through negotiations.

Events

In March 1987, a decision of the Greek government to nationalize the consortium of companies that was drilling oil off Thasos, and planned exploratory oil drilling 11 miles east of the island of Thasos, such as the impression by Turkey that Greece was planning new researches for oil, provoked tension between the two countries.
The crisis escalated, armed forces of both countries were on alert, and both sides said they would use force if obstructed by the other. The incident nearly started a war between Greece and Turkey.
Greek prime minister Andreas Papandreou gave the orders to sink the ship if it was found in the waters claimed by Greece. Turkish Prime Minister Turgut Özal said that "If Greece interferes with our vessel in any way, and this is what Papandreou is saying, we will act in the same way against him", "As a result, it could be cause for war.", but he also added that "We are waiting for the first move from them." The Greek foreign minister Karolos Papoulias was sent to Bulgaria for discussions. The Greek government gave orders for the suspension of operation of the base of NATO in Nea Makri, while the Greek forces and Navy were alarmed.
Britain's Lord Carrington, the Secretary General of NATO, urged Greece and Turkey to avoid the use of force and offered to act as a mediator.
The crisis was solved when Özal announced that if the Greek government did not enter the disputed waters, the Turks would stay out as well; he participated in a phone call with Papandreou.