Greek PM to Turkish people: "We are not enemies"

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis blamed Turkey's government for undermining peace and stability in the Aegean Sea but assured Turkish people that Greece is not a threat to their country.

The Greek leader posted a message on Twitter in Turkish language containing a translation of one part of his speech in the UN General Assembly.

"From the UN I would like to address ... the Turkish people directly: Greece poses no threat to your country. We are not your enemies, we are neighbours," he said. "Let us move forward."

Birleşmiş Milletler’den bu mesajla yalnız Türk liderlerine değil, Türk halkına da yönelerek şunu söylemek isterim: Yunanistan Türkiye’yi tehdit etmiyor. Biz düşman değiliz. Biz komşuyuz ve aramızdaki dostluk ilişkilerine çok önem veririz. #UNGA pic.twitter.com/bEcZcJiHnt

— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) September 23, 2022

Tensions between the two NATO allies have further strained this year over a range of issues, including territorial claims. While Ankara and Athens blame each other for violating their airspace on the Aegean Sea, Turkey also accuses Greece for militarizing its islands in violation of international treaties.

Greece complained to NATO and the United Nations this month over what it called "inflammatory" statements by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

 "Turkey's leadership seems to have a strange fixation with my country. ... They threaten that Turkey will come at night, if it so decides. This is the language of an aggressor," Mitsotakis said.

Mitsotakis also claimed that Turkey also questioned the sovereignty of Greece in the Eastern Aegean islands, which he said was unacceptable.