Turkey blames Greece of fueling instability

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar blamed Greece of fueling instability in the region.

“Unfortunately, our neighbor Greece continues its expansionist and aggressive policies with its provocative actions and discourse that fuels instability,” Akar said during a press conference with his Georgian and Azerbaijani counterparts in Turkey's central province of Kayseri on Wednesday.

Akar said Turkey remains open to dialogue, but will not let any fait accompli regarding issues related to the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean Seas, state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

The tensions between Turkey and Greece who have long been at odds over a string of issues, have build up lately over the status of the Aegean islands, where Ankara blames Athens for “illegally” militarizing its islands in violation of international treaties. The two neighboring countries are also having a territorial spat over energy resources.

Also Commenting over the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, Akar said Ankara expects positive and concrete steps from the United States.

Last year, Turkey made an official request to buy 40 F-16s and some 80 modernization kits for its existing fleet, after Washington excluded it from the F-35 stealth fighter jet program over its acquisition of Russian S-400 air defense missiles in 2019.

While the President Joe Biden said the US administration supports the sale of the aircraft to Ankara, a possible deal needs approval from the Congress.