Ankara is systematically fueling tensions, reiterating demands for the demilitarization of the eastern Aegean islands, which Athens is countering through a coordinated information campaign aimed at the international community, while reiterating its readiness to face any challenge.
Athens is trying to keep communication channels open, while stressing the need for sincere dialogue under international law. At the same time, Athens is preparing to raise the issue of Turkish proclivities at the European Union Summit, on 23 and 24 June.
However, the Turkish President, inflamed by Greece’s international support and in view of today’s Summit on the Cooperation Process in Southeast Europe, which will take place in Thessaloniki attempted a further escalation, even launching threats in Greek.
Erdogan’s twitter moment in Greek
In an unprecedented move, the Turkish president made a series of posts on his personal Twitter account. Through eight messages, in a thread in Greek, Erdogan refers to the Aegean, talks about Megisti (Kastellorizo), while making accusations about “oppression of the Turkish minority” in Western Thrace, Rhodes and Kos.
Erdogan again makes an issue of the fact that Megisti, located over 600km from mainland Greece in the Eastern Mediterranean claims maritime jurisdiction of 40,000km2. What irritates the Turkish President, among other things, is that Megisti is located 2km from the Turkish coast.
In his post he claims that Greece has mobilized the international community and NATO countries, involving them in “illegal” (as he calls them) military exercises on islands that according to him are supposed to be de-militarized, and says that this “will have a disastrous end.”
He then claims that Greece, despite being a member of the European Union, continues to oppress the Turkish minority living in Western Thrace, Rhodes and Kos, ignoring the values of the Union, human rights worldwide and international agreements.
The Turkish President goes as far as to invoke his membership in the Alliance (despite being an impediment in its expansion and its efforts to support Ukraine), presenting Turkey as a faithful and stalwart ally, while also claiming that he is showing patience, which Greece misconstrues. And true to form, again threatens Greece with another defeat at the hands of the Turkish military remembering the 1922 defeat in Asia Minor.
He also speaks of Turkey’s rights in the Aegean, and its willingness to forcibly de-militarize the Greek islands, in an effort to cloak his threats with an air of legitimacy, which only he recognizes.
According to him, the presence of Greek military on the islands, removes the regime of Greek sovereignty of the islands on the one hand and on the other poses a major threat to the national security of Turkey. Therefore, he deduces that it is legitimate to demand the immediate demilitarization of the islands by challenging their sovereignty.
Athens strikes back
Athens’s response was immediate, with government spokesman Economou calling it “remarkable” that President Erdogan chose to write in Greek. According to Mr. Economou “Greek is the language of logic, freedom and law. Its native users and the western world know this very well. The tactics chosen by Turkey do not fall into any of these precepts,” he noted.
Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, addressed the issue at the Awards Ceremony of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Referring to Turkey, he said: “We have a neighbor who is as angry as he is isolated.”
“We have a war on the European continent something unthinkable a year ago, we have an unprecedented energy upheaval, a world trade upheaval we have a food risk, we have inflation that gnaws away at household incomes across Europe,” he said, stresing that “a strong state today is a stable state, and this stability, which goes hand in hand with continuity and consistency, I am determined to ensure.”
στο Google News και μάθετε πρώτοι όλες τις ειδήσειςLatest News
Vardis Vardinogiannis: ‘On a Ship’s Bridge You Always Look Forward’
Ten milestones in the half century since the creation of Motor Oil Group, as described by Vardis Vardinogiannis, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 91
DBRS Says Greek Banks ‘Shielded’ from ECB Rate Cuts
The agency explains that fund disbursements through the banking sector will help offset pressures anticipated on interest margins beginning in 2025, due to expected rate cuts by the European Central Bank (ECB).
Meta Cuts Facebook and Instagram Subscription Fees by 40%
The social media giant also revealed that it will continue to offer free access to Facebook and Instagram for EU users, provided they agree to see ads based on a limited set of user data.
Skyrocketing Use of Debit, Credit Cards
The total value of the transactions conducted with debit and credit cards in the country in the first half of 2024 rose 2% on the corresponding period of 2023
JP Morgan Revised Greece Outlook to ‘Overweight’
The investment bank notes that Greece is showing the strongest GDP growth in the Eurozone. Additionally, efforts to clear up bank balance sheets are anticipated to yield increased capital returns.
Vardis I. Vardinogiannis, Greek Tycoon and Shipping Magnate, Dies at 91
In 1990, Vardinogiannis was targeted in an attack which involved three rockets fired at his vehicle by the terrorist organization 17 November.
Kudos for Greek Sheep’s Milk Cheeses
Graviera is the Greek version of the Swiss gruyère, and is generally considered the second most popular cheese made in the country after feta
EIB Survey: Greeks Rank Climate Change as Top Concern After Cost of Living
Specifically, 98% of the Greeks surveyed stated that the country must to adapt to climate change, with 60% saying that priority should be given to these adjustment measures
Trump Tells Putin not to Escalate Ukraine War during Phone Convo
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden, is preparing to lobby Trump against abandoning U.S. support for Kyiv
Former Thessaloniki Mayor Yiannis Boutaris Dies at 82
Boutaris entered politics in 2010, serving as the 60th mayor of Thessaloniki for two consecutive terms until 2019, becoming a transformative figure with his progressive policies.
