Greece calls on Turkey to condemn flag vandalism 'insult'

The incident comes after tension flared between Greece and Turkey over disputed waters in the Mediterranean last month

Greek warships take part in military exercises in Eastern Mediterranean sea, as tensions rise with Turkey over the waters. Greek Defense Ministry/AP

The Greek air force joined the exercises. Greek Defense Ministry/AP

The Tonnerre is escorted by Greek and French military vessels. Greek National Defence/AP)

The French Tonnerre helicopter carrier, rear left, is escorted by Greek and French military vessels during a maritime exercise in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Greek and Turkish warships are also closely shadowing each other. (Greek National Defence/AP)

The Turkish seismic research vessel 'Oruc Reis' heading west of Antalya in the Mediterranean Sea. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP

Tension are high between Greece and Turkey, over the 'Oruc-Reis' and its mission in the eastern Mediterranean. IHA via AP

Turkey’s claims to the waters, which it says are on its continental shelf, have repeatedly been dismissed as illegal by Greece and its allies. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP

Turkish ships accompany the 'Oruc Reis,' a seismic research vessel. Turkish Defence Ministry/AFP

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for dialogue while still pushing ahead with a Mediterranean gas development plan that has outraged Greece. AFP

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned of the potential for a mishap with Greek and Turkish navies both in the area.. EPA

France will strengthen its military presence in the eastern Mediterranean. Reuters

Athens on Sunday called on Turkey to condemn and investigate what it said was an insult to its national flag on the Greek island of Kastellorizo.

A rendition of the blue and white flag painted on a rocky hillside appeared on Saturday to have been defaced with red paint.

“We blatantly condemn yesterday’s insult of the Greek flag on Kastellorizo,” the Greek foreign ministry said.

“We expect Turkish authorities to immediately condemn and investigate the incident, so that the culprits are brought before justice,” it said. “Such unacceptable actions only seek to torpedo prospects for easing tensions between the two countries.”

Kastellorizo is in the Eastern Mediterranean, close to the coast of Turkey, and the flag is said to be visible from the country’s mainland. Greek police were investigating, an official said.

A drone equipped with a loudspeaker playing the Turkish national anthem was flown over the island on Saturday, Greek media reported.

Greece and Turkey disagree on many matters, including where their boundaries lie on the Aegean continental shelf. Hostility rose last month when Ankara sent a seismic survey ship into disputed waters, escorted by gunboats, to map out sea territory for possible oil and gas drilling in an area thought to be rich in energy resources.

A Turkish and a Greek warship collided during the stand-off. Since then, Turkey has recalled the Oruc Reis survey ship and the countries have agreed to resume exploratory talks.