Trying since 2005 to get into the European Union, Turkey is asking the bloc's leaders for support against Greece – which is a member – over a seas boundary dispute, and wants the backing of the United Nations and NATO too.

Both countries belong to the defense alliance which has steered clear of the feud over who owns which waters in the Aegean and East Mediterranean around Greek islands, with Turkey claiming some of them and planning to drill for oil and gas off Kastellorizo, Rhodes, Kos and Crete. 

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said he sent a letter to the EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell ahead of a special meeting called at Greece's request, wanting to explain Turkey's position on developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, according to the country's state-run news agency Anadolu.

Cavusoglu argued that Greece and Cyprus’ “unilateral measures, alliances and initiatives” have excluded Turkey, despite its call for dialogue and cooperation.

He said Greece and Egypt’s maritime border deal is “in total violation” of Turkey and Libya’s continental shelf, citing a deal Turkey and Libya made dividing the seas between them.

That isn't recognized by any other country and Turkey said a similar agreement between Greece and Egypt to set EEZs was unlawful but that the Turkey-Libya deal wasn't. 

Cavusoglu also urged EU member states to oppose any “unfair” measures that may be taken against Turkey as Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is asking for tough sanctions after his earlier plea was ignored.

Similar letters were sent to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg both of whom have shown they want no part of the Turkey-Greece troubles although that's their jobs.