After Erdogan vows to start searching waters 'as soon as possible,' defying a mega-deal signed by Israel, Greece and Cyprus, European countries accuse Ankara of stoking conflict

Luigi Di Maio says $7.4 billion cost and construction process of line to ship gas to Europe are prohibitive; deal inked between Greece, Cyprus and Israel earlier this month

According to TV report, Turkish navy intercepts Israeli boat, orders it to leave; Turkey's recent maritime deal with Libya has fueled regional tensions over drilling rights

Ankara accuses bloc's FMs of being 'prejudiced and biased' for sanctions in protest of Turkish operations in occupied waters

European bloc will cut off high-level talks with Ankara, freeze aviation deal negotiations and slash funds as punishment for pushing ahead with 'illegal' drilling

Run by the BIRD Foundation, the joint initiative will be funded by the private and public sectors in Israel and the US over five years