Greek defence officials have rejected comments by Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler regarding maritime rights in the Aegean, eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus, amid renewed tensions between the two countries.
Speaking anonymously, officials from Greece’s Defence Ministry said Athens “exercises its sovereign rights with full commitment to international law and does not accept revisionist and arbitrary approaches that attempt to turn unilateral interpretations into political faits accompli.”
The response came after Guler said Turkey “will not remain indifferent” to attempts to challenge its rights and interests in the region, while also accusing Greece of illegally militarising eastern Aegean islands.
“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,” Guler said during a visit to a military base in Edirne.
He added that Turkey supports “international law, peace, stability and solving disagreements through dialogue,” but said this “does not mean we will make concessions concerning our national rights and interests.”
Greek officials responded that “statements that reproduce unfounded and legally unsound positions do not enhance regional security, nor do they serve stability in the eastern Mediterranean.”
The exchange follows a recent incident involving Turkish military aircraft over the Aegean Sea. According to Greek officials, two Turkish F-16 fighter jets and two CN-235 surveillance aircraft violated Greek airspace 10 times, leading to a simulated dogfight with Greek jets sent to intercept them.
It was the second simulated dogfight recorded this year, with Greece’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reporting 159 airspace violations since January 1, compared to 225 across all of 2025.
“The Hellenic Armed Forces maintain a consistently high level of operational readiness and deterrent power, consistently defending national sovereignty and national security,” the Greek officials said.
Source: Ekathimerini.
