Hellenic Navy sources over the weekend pointed to a maritime provocation by a Turkish frigate on Saturday afternoon, noting that that the warship "Kemal Reis" sailed west of the Dodecanese island of Rhodes into international waters off the isles of Santorini, Milos and Serifos before entering Greek territorial waters.

The violation was recorded in the sea region between the west Cyclades islands of Kea and Kythnos, before the vessel returned to international waters via the strait of Kafireas, in southern Evia island.

The incident generated a sharp reaction by both the main opposition New Democracy (ND) party and the Popular Orthodox Rally (LA.O.S) party.

Amongst others, ND sector head and MP Panos Panayiotopoulos on Sunday referred to "yieldingness and lack of a clear-cut strategy" by the government towards Turkey.