The olive branch came ahead of an informal EU foreign ministers' meeting in Berlin on Thursday and Friday at which Greece is expected to press the bloc to slap biting sanctions on its historic regional rival.
But EU nations would prefer to avoid irritating Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas shuttled between Athens and Ankara in a bid to temper the rhetoric and get talks back on track.
At stake is Europe's secure access to newly-discovered gas reserves as well as the stability of both NATO and the entire volatile region, which includes war-torn Libya and Egypt.
Maas secured only lukewarm promises from Greek and Turkish officials, who continued to air their grievances in the dispute.
"We are in favour of negotiations for fair sharing (of the gas) but nobody should lay down preconditions," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said after the talks in Ankara.
"This cannot happen with preconditions laid down by Greece."
After his own meeting with Maas, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said Athens was "ready for dialogue -- but this dialogue cannot take place under (Turkish) threats".
Completing his delicate mission, Maas conceded that the dispute had entered a "very critical" phase.
Nevertheless, "no one wants to solve this issue in a militaristic way," Maas said through a translator, "and there is a willingness on both sides for dialogue."
'Act with common sense'
Greece's maritime claims are backed by the entire EU, but the bloc has so far held back from heavily sanctioning Ankara out of fears that Erdogan would follow through with threats to unleash a wave of migrants now living in Turkey.
The top Turkish diplomat praised the German mediation effort but said Ankara had made a good faith gesture by announcing a pause to its exploration activity last month.
Cavusoglu argued that Turkey only resumed its work when Greece signed an agreement with Egypt to set up an exclusive economic zone on August 6, violating a general sense of goodwill.
The Greek parliament is expected to ratify the contentious agreement on Wednesday."I would like to advise Greece ... to abandon its spoilt (behaviour)," Cavusoglu said."Act with common sense," he told Athens, warning that Turkey was ready to "do what's necessary without any hesitation".
On Sunday, Turkey announced a decision to extend its exploratory ship Oruc Reis's mission by an extra four days to Thursday, prompting an immediate Greek decision to carry out naval exercises nearby.Turkey's defence ministry on Tuesday tweeted pictures of two Turkish frigates taking part in "Operation Mediterranean Shield" at sea with an Italian navy support vessel.
Greece has conducted exercises in the south of Crete with US forces, and is planning more war games with the United Arab Emirates' air force.
'Not realistic'
Turkey and Greece have often been at odds and almost went to war over some uninhabited islets in the Aegean Sea in 1996.Fellow EU heavyweight France has taken a tougher line against Ankara, sending warships to help Greece in the standoff.
Turkey is not only a longstanding ally within NATO, which includes many EU countries, but is party to a deal with Brussels to prevent uncontrolled migration to Europe, which dramatically split the bloc in 2015.
EU foreign ministers convened an emergency video conference on August 14, just two days after Greek and Turkish warships collided in hotly disputed circumstances.
In Ankara, Maas said the Turkish-EU relations were "at a crossroads" but expressed Germany's willingness to improve ties with Ankara, which he called a "strategic partner."
Cavusoglu responded by urging Brussels to stop dangling the promise of EU membership should Ankara waive its rights in the eastern Mediterranean, saying it was "not realistic."
"What we expect from the EU is to become an honest mediator," he said.
Former Obama aide reveals why he stayed …
25-05-2025
Jon Lovett, ex-Obama speechwriter, confessed he suppressed worries regarding Joe Biden's health during the 2024 campaign. Lovett feared criticism would aid Biden's rivals. A book, Original Sin, claims the White...
Read more‘Dear girlies, thank you for…’: What Meg…
25-05-2025
Meghan Markle's handwritten note to American Airlines flight attendants, expressing gratitude for their hospitality, has surfaced on social media, showcasing her personal touch. This commercial flight appearance contrasts with past...
Read moreWill Donald Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’…
25-05-2025
President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act faces significant hurdles in the Senate after a narrow House passage. Republican Senators like Ron Johnson and Rand Paul express concerns over the...
Read moreIsrael's US ambassador called home over …
25-05-2025
Israel's ambassador to Washington is being summoned home on the instructions of a government disciplinary body to discuss comments he made in a podcast interview, the foreign ministry said Sunday...
Read moreWho is Derek Chauvin? The cop who murder…
25-05-2025
Five years after George Floyd's murder by Derek Chauvin, the world remembers the tragic event that sparked global protests against systemic racism. Chauvin's conviction on all charges brought a mix...
Read moreArt project or UFO? Scientists torn over…
25-05-2025
A mysterious metallic sphere discovered in Colombia has sparked debate, with some speculating about extraterrestrial origins due to its seamless construction. Researchers are studying the object, while others suggest it...
Read moreFrance's Macron arrives in Vietnam for S…
25-05-2025
Emmanuel Macron's Southeast Asia tour aims to position France as a reliable alternative to the US and China, emphasizing respect for Asian sovereignty. He will promote French expertise in civil...
Read moreUganda 'suspends' military cooperation w…
25-05-2025
Uganda has suspended military cooperation with Germany, alleging that the German ambassador, Mathias Schauer, is involved in subversive activities against the Ugandan government. This escalation follows accusations that some European...
Read moreIs media backing off criticism of US gov…
25-05-2025
ABC executives, including Disney's CEO, have reportedly urged the hosts of 'The View' to tone down their anti-Trump rhetoric and broaden the show's content. However, the hosts, including Ana Navarro...
Read moreThousands rally in Warsaw for Polish pre…
25-05-2025
Tens of thousands of people rallied in central Warsaw on Sunday in rival demonstrations for the two candidates in Poland's presidential election on June 1. Organisers estimated there were around...
Read moreSouth Africa's Malema vows to keep chant…
25-05-2025
South Africa's firebrand opposition leader on Saturday vowed to keep using controversial chants that featured in a contentious White House meeting between the US and South African presidents. Speaking at...
Read moreThe US military spent $6 billion in the …
25-05-2025
Faced with enlistment shortfalls, the US military spent over $6 billion on recruitment and retention incentives in the last three years. The Navy significantly outspent other branches, particularly on retention...
Read moreMediation or informal diplomacy? Decodin…
25-05-2025
Following the Pahalgam terror attack and India's 'Operation Sindoor,' a dispute arose over whether a US-brokered ceasefire occurred between India and Pakistan. While Trump claimed US mediation, India asserted its...
Read moreAir raid sirens in Jerusalem as army say…
25-05-2025
The Israeli army intercepted a missile launched from Yemen on Sunday, triggering air raid sirens in Jerusalem. This attack, claimed by Yemen's Huthis, targeted Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv...
Read moreFive years of Black Lives Matter: 3 ways…
25-05-2025
As the fifth anniversary of Floyd’s death approaches, here are three ways the MAGA movement has flipped the narrative — turning a symbol of police brutality into an emblem of...
Read more‘They lost Annabelle?’ Internet meltdown…
25-05-2025
The infamous Annabelle doll recently sparked internet frenzy after rumors spread about its disappearance during a paranormal tour in the US. This occurred shortly after a fire at a Louisiana...
Read more'Upgrade nukes, big China's support': Wh…
25-05-2025
A US intelligence report reveals Pakistan's military priorities, emphasizing nuclear modernization and addressing cross-border tensions with regional neighbors. China remains Pakistan's primary defense partner, providing economic and military support, while...
Read moreVietnam police detain man over damage to…
25-05-2025
Vietnamese police have detained a man who broke into a history exhibit and damaged an antique throne considered to be one of the nation's most precious artefacts, conservation officials said...
Read moreRussia unleashes largest air onslaught o…
25-05-2025
Russia launched its most extensive aerial assault on Ukraine since the war's onset, targeting over 30 cities and villages with missiles and drones, resulting in casualties and widespread damage. The...
Read moreUK renationalises first train operator u…
25-05-2025
A private train operator servicing parts of southern England, including London, on Sunday became the first to be returned to public ownership under a government plan to renationalise Britain's much-maligned...
Read more
