Erdoğan warns Greece to stop militarizing Aegean islands

Photo: AA

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President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke yesterday (June 9) about the rising tension with Greece regarding the Aegean islands and a possible military operation in Syria, during the EFES-2022 military exercise in Türkiye's Aegean province of İzmir.

Blaming Greece for militarizing the islands with non-military status on the Aegean Coast, the President warned Greece to act "in line with international agreements."

"On this occasion, we once again call on Greece to stop the militarization of the (Aegean) islands with non-military status and to act in line with international agreements," he said and added, "I'm not kidding, I'm serious."

"Greece is acting like it's making touristic stops on Aegean islands," said Erdoğan, "such moves will get you nowhere."

"Turkey will not renounce its rights in the Aegean and will not back down from using rights that are established by international agreements when it comes to arming islands."

Turkey and Greece have long been at odds over their rival positions on airspace and the islands.

Greece's response

Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to Erdoğan's accusations about the "12 islands" by publishing 16 maps on the ministry's website with the title "Turkish revisionism in the period 1973-2022 – Depiction in 16 maps."

"The maps depict vividly and irrefutably the Turkish illegal unilateral actions and claims," the Ministry said.

Comparing the maps of the territorial waters determined by the 1923 Lausanne and 1947 Paris Agreements with the current disputes, the Ministry claimed that Turkey violated the Lausanne and Paris Agreements with its Oil Exploration licenses and the "Blue Homeland" doctrine.

Tsipras: Escalation doesn't benefit anyone

The main opposition leader in Greece, Alexis Tsipras, sent a message of friendship and dialogue to Turkey from Symi Island stating, "There is no reason for the drive to increase, especially at a time when both sides of the Aegean need stability and peace."

"There is no problem that cannot be compromised between the two peoples," Tsipras said and appealed to the democratic civilian forces for supporting dialogue and peace. " This effort must be continued. The tension is not for anyone's benefit," he said.

Tsipras also noted that problems such as the continental shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) between Turkey and Greece should be resolved based on international law, in the International Court of Justice.

"Nationalism endangers not only peace and social cohesion but also democracy in every country."

Offensive into Syria

Erdoğan also repeated his intentions about creating a 30-kilometer deep "safe zone" along the southern borders.

"Turkey is gradually implementing its efforts to protect its southern border with Syria with a 30-kilometer safe zone."

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(AEK/TB/VK)