Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias has accused Turkey of posing a direct military threat to Greece, following recent remarks by his Turkish counterpart regarding Ankara’s regional interests in the Aegean, eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus.
Speaking at the unveiling of a refurbished wing at a military hospital in Athens, funded through a private donation, Dendias said the comments highlighted the importance of strengthening Greece’s military deterrence capabilities.
“There exists a threat,” Dendias said. “And if we sometimes forget it, our neighbors across the sea are kind enough to explicitly remind us… They don’t even hint at it, they say it.”
He added that the threat reinforced the need for Greece’s armed forces to remain at a level capable of acting as a deterrent.
The comments came after Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler stated that Ankara “will not remain indifferent” to any attempts to challenge Turkey’s rights and interests in the Aegean, the eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus.
Speaking at a military base in Edirne, western Turkey, Guler also accused Greece of illegally militarising islands in the eastern Aegean.
“In such a crucial geopolitical environment, we closely follow all developments and defend with great determination our country’s rights and interests, primarily in the Aegean, the eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus,” he said.
While insisting Turkey supports international law, regional stability and dialogue, Guler stressed that Ankara would not compromise on what it considers its national interests.
The exchange comes amid renewed tensions between the two neighbouring NATO allies after Turkish military aircraft reportedly violated Greek airspace several times earlier this week, prompting interception by Greek fighter jets and a simulated dogfight.
Source: Ekathimerini
