Greece-Turkey Relations Strained, Kanal Istanbul Project Problematic for Russia

LOCAL NEWS

• Greece says resolving differences with Ankara hard, but not impossible after tensions boiled over in last week's press conference with Cavusoglu.
  • Greek FM says he does not see a toughening in Turkey's East Med/Aegean position, but notes some fixed positions that are beyond international law.
  • Also says the issue is that there is no common denominator regarding frameworks for resolving differences
• CHP depties and Germany's De Linke party launch human trafficking inquiries against the AKP for allegedly aiding several hundred people in crossing into Europe with special passports facilitataed by the AKP
• Local analyst says ~$9.2bn Kanal Istanbul project challenges Russia and may shake up the region as it provides sole authority to govern traffic and cargo going through the water and also allow Western warships a new route to reach the Black Sea during a conflict