ATHENS — Main opposition SYRIZA on Monday accused the government of contradicting itself regarding Turkey and "weakening" its own arguments in support of sanctions against Turkey at the EU.

"At a time when Turkey has for almost a month now grossly violated the sovereign rights of the country, with the Oruc Reis conducting surveys within the Greek continental shelf and ever-closer to Kastellorizo, would-be 'superpatriot' [Makis] Voridis…. today stated clearly that the Oruc Reis is not violating the country's sovereign rights and 'sailing in international waters'," the party said in an announcement.

"We expect that someone in the government will explain to the Greek people how it is possible for Turkey to not be carrying out illegal actions and at the same time for Greece to be asking – albeit with a huge delay of eight months – for sanctions to be imposed against it," the announcement added.

It noted that such contradictions were unconvincing and embarrassed the country, systematically undermining its arguments for EU sanctions against Turkey.