Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan returned to jingoist “mode” late this week, again combining invasion threats with a now very thinly veiled paranoia of US actions in the wider region.
Less than 24 hours after an informal but closely watched meeting between the Greek and Turkish defense ministers, on the sidelines of a NATO ministerial summit in Brussels, appeared to “break the ice” in frosty bilateral relations, the authoritarian Erdogan struck again:
“Everything is ready, we’ve donned our armor… we will come suddenly one night,” was the saber rattling heard by reporters accompanying the 68-year-old Turkish on a flight from Kazakhstan back to Turkey.
In airing a grievance that appears to particularly annoy the poll-trailing Erdogan administration, the Islamist Turkish leader expressed infuriation with a US military presence at the extreme northeast Greece port of Alexandropoulis.
The latter, located less than 40 kilometers west of the land border with Turkey in the Thrace province, is viewed as bypassing the Dardanelles and Bosporus straits connecting the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, and by extension decreasing Ankara’s geopolitical influence.
“Of course, we have warned them about this issue. America as well, our defense minister met with his counterpart, and they discussed this issue. There’s even a meeting of NATO defense ministers now. Our minister also had the opportunity to discuss these issues with his interlocutors … We will discuss the result with (Turkish Minister) Mr. Hulusi (Akar) when he returns, and we meet. Of course, we see what’s happening in Alexandroupolis or on various islands. Once we put on our armor and take our precautions, nothing scares us. We have taken measures, everything is ready. Therefore, we are taking our steps accordingly. Let them think about it,” Erdogan said.
Latest News
JP Morgan Remains ‘Bullish’ on Greek Banks
JP Morgan reiterated its analysis of DTCs, prompted by Piraeus Bank’s plan to accelerate their amortization
Source of Wealth Declarations for Greek Public Officials Made Easier
Source of wealth declarations are designed to improve transparency and prevent corruption among Greece's public officials. Yet 98% of Greeks still believe corruption is widespread in the country, according to Eurobarometer.
Greece’s Labor Market Slack Among Highest in EU
Greece ranks 4th in EU for labor market slack, mostly due to high unemployment levels, and has widest gender gap in the EU.
Livestock Crisis Threatens Greek Feta
Feta in particular, is Greece’s primary dairy export, with 65% of production going abroad.
Moldova’s Sandu Wins Second Term amid Meddling Claims
According to the Central Election Commission, with 98% of votes counted, Maia Sandu led with 54.35% to Alexandr Stoianoglo’s 45.65%
Attica Wins ‘Best Greek Hospitality Region’ at 2024 Awards
The Greek Hospitality Awards, now in their tenth year, are one of the premier tourism industry events at the European level
Greece Takes Command of EU’s Operation ASPIDES in Red Sea
The defense minister also visited the Greek frigate Spetsai, which is participating in Operation ASPIDES, while in the port of Djibouti
Brain Gain: Returning Greeks Drive Innovation and Growth in IT and Key Sectors
The profile of the returnees to Greece reveals that 67.6% have families, and 52% have children
New Regulations Target Airbnb Rentals in Greece with Safety and Quality Standard
Additionally, a new ranking system for tourist accommodations based on sustainability criteria is expected to be introduced
Piraeus Port Authority: Net Profits Exceed 70mln€ in Jan-Sep 2024
All indices rise in third quarter of 2024 compared to corresponding period of 2023