Turkey denies deliberately holding Greek plane in the air

·

Turkey on Thursday denied accusations by Greece that Ankara refused an overflight permit to a plane carrying Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, forcing the aircraft to remain in the air for 20 minutes.

Greek state broadcaster ERT reported that the plane carrying Dendias back from a visit to Baghdad the previous day was kept circling over Mosul for 20 minutes because Turkish authorities weren’t granting it permission to fly through Turkish airspace back to Greece.

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry denied any deliberate move to hold up the plane before entering the Turkish airspace, insisting the plane hadn’t provided the required flight plan.

Germany’s foreign minister Heiko Maas, right, and his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias attend a meeting with Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at Maximos Mansion in Athens, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

The incident comes amid renewed tensions between Greece and Turkey over sea boundaries and energy drilling rights, after Ankara redeployed its search vessel, Oruc Reis, this week for a new energy exploration mission in disputed waters in the eastern Mediterranean.

Both countries have this week accused each other of engaging in “provocations” that threaten to torpedo the planned resumption of talks between Athens and Ankara aimed at resolving disputes. Those talks were last held in 2016.

According to the Turkish ministry, the plane that took Dendias to Iraq broke down there, and the Greek government then allocated a second plane, which took off without the required flight plan.

“When the aforementioned aircraft arrived at our airspace, the plan was urgently requested from the Iraqi authorities, and after the plan was received, the flight was carried out safely,” the ministry said.

Asked about the incident during a regular briefing, the Greek government spokesman, Stelios Petsas, said that in response that “the necessary actions have been taken by the foreign ministry, with a relevant complaint.”

“It is one more provocation, in the continued provocations by the Turkish side,” Petsas said. “But I would like to remain on the fact that various explanations were given, also from the Turkish side, and we hope that this phenomenon and this incident is never repeated in the future.”

Sourced By: Associated Press

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Honour a loved one of Hellenic heritage on the National Monument to Migration

The name of a loved one with Hellenic heritage can be engraved on Australia's Notional Monument to Migration if you register before June 30.

Shadow Minister slams government inaction as Google cuts ethnic media funding deal early

Google's early exit from a key funding deal puts independent Australian media at risk, drawing backlash from federal Opposition.

Youthful St George Saints devastated by double header defeat

The St George Saints Mens White team faced a tough double header last weekend against two powerhouse opponents.

Ceasefire brings relief, but travel disruptions continue for some Greek Australians

Greek Australians flying to Europe via the Middle East continue to experience significant delays, rerouted connections and unexpected costs.

Dean Kalimniou’s new poetry collection explores deep roots of language and violence

A new poetry collection by acclaimed Melbourne-based author, poet, and lawyer Dean Kalimniou has just been published in Athens.

You May Also Like

Miltiadis Tentoglou takes gold medal in Diamond League

Miltos Tedoglou wins first place in the Diamond League in Zurich, with a terrific final leap of 8.20m.

‘Angriest I’ve ever been’: Ange Postecoglou says after Tottenham loses again

Newcastle extended their winning streak with a 2-1 victory over Tottenham, further deepening the struggles of Postecoglou's injury-hit side.

Adelaide yiayia raises nearly $20,000 for HeartKids charity by baking Greek shortbread

Katerina Iliopoulos has raised nearly $20,000 for HeartKids over three years by baking and selling mountains of Greek shortbread.