Two major energy projects in the Eastern Mediterranean – hydrocarbon exploration south of Crete and the resumption of work on the Greece-Cyprus power interconnection – have prompted sharp reactions from Ankara, underscoring renewed tensions between Greece and Turkey.

Statements this week by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan were widely interpreted in Athens as a direct response to the timing of those projects. Ankara has repeatedly insisted it must have a say in all regional energy ventures, making clear both through diplomacy and field actions that it seeks influence over developments.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently reiterated that Greece intends to move ahead with the submarine cable linking Greece and Cyprus, describing it as a European project that “will be implemented.” Turkey, however, has indicated its readiness to oppose the effort, basing its stance on the belief that no initiative can proceed without its participation or approval.

Meanwhile, the imminent results of Greece’s tender for hydrocarbon exploration off Crete come against a backdrop of Turkish maneuvering in eastern Libya, including pressure on Benghazi to ratify the illegal 2019 Turkey-Libya maritime agreement. Analysts in Athens see the moves as an attempt by Ankara to clear obstacles before energy companies announce their bids.

In remarks outlining what he called a regional “chessboard,” Fidan said: “We know who has done what, with which players they tried to do it, and how in the past they attempted to besiege Turkey. We saw these things, we took measures and we continue.”

Greek officials quickly pushed back. Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis said, “Greece neither suffers from phobic syndromes nor defines itself in reference to Turkey. And we do not accept instructions from anyone.” Defense Minister Nikos Dendias added that Fidan’s comments were “universally unacceptable and improper,” saying they violated the principle of non-interference in the internal politics of other states.

Talks between the two neighbors remain stalled. The planned meeting of the Greece-Turkey High Council for Cooperation and a bilateral summit between Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have faced repeated delays, with neither side appearing eager to commit.