No ships left in the Mediterranean: Turkish research and drill ships opposed by the European Union have left the region

The Abdülhamid Han Drill Ship, which features seventh-generation technology and was added to Turkey's energy fleet in recent years to carry out natural gas exploration activities at sea, has left the Mediterranean and, as has been discussed for some time, has moved to the Black Sea. 

With both its technical equipment and physical characteristics, the Abdülhamid Han stood out as the "most powerful" in the fleet participating in hydrocarbon exploration activities in the "Blue Homeland." The ship was sent off to its first mission with a ceremony held on August 9, 2022, attended by AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

There were rumors that the Abdülhamid Han drill ship, which was operating in the Mediterranean, would be moved to the Black Sea. Regarding this, military experts had warned, "This change of location strategy could cause a serious threat and a loss of rights and interests both in terms of our Blue Homeland rights and interests and our presence in the Eastern Mediterranean." 

CHP DEPUTY CHAIRMAN BAĞCIOĞLU SHARED THE MAP

CHP Deputy Chairman and retired Rear Admiral Yankı Bağcıoğlu pointed out that the European Union is pleased with this situation, stating, "We have no drill or research ships left in the Mediterranean." 

CHP Deputy Chairman and retired Rear Admiral Yankı Bağcıoğlu documented that the Abdülhamid Han drill ship, which was operating in the Mediterranean, had moved to the Black Sea by sharing a map. 

Here is that map: 

Akdeniz’de sondaj ve araştırma gemimiz kalmadı…
AB memnun…!? pic.twitter.com/Rs0pdsKOFk

— Yankı Bağcıoğlu (@YankiBagcioglu) August 1, 2024

THE EUROPEAN UNION WAS UNCOMFORTABLE

The European Union (EU) had reacted to drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean in 2020, when Turkey sent its drill ship Yavuz on a new mission in the Eastern Mediterranean.

In a statement noting that the EU maintained its previous position against Turkey's drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, it was said, "Concrete and good-faith steps are needed to create an environment conducive to dialogue. Turkey's intention to start more exploration and drilling activities in wider regions is regrettable and is a development in the exact opposite direction."

News Source: 12punto