Turkish FM accuses Greece of dishonesty in the Aegean

Tensions between Turkey and Greece hit new highs as Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu warned Greece against extending its territorial waters in the Aegean Sea, adding that Ankara “will not accept a fait accompli that has kept Turkey trapped in its coastline,” Turkey’s state news agency Anadolu reported.

Speaking at an event titled  “Turkish Foreign Policy in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, Cavusoglu accused Greece of being “dishonest” and “insincere” over its differences with Turkey, adding that Athens is “standing in the way of justice.”

The Greek “aggression” is due to Türkiye’s “rising profile” in the international arena and its domestic political concerns, said the minister. “Greece’s lack of strategic vision” is another factor in this dispute, he added.

The minister gave fresh threats to Greece saying "do not look at who is behind you, but rather look at who you are facing."

Turkey increased criticism to the US and the EU for backing Greece in militarizing the Aegean islands which it says is against international agreements. Cavusoglu said Washington argues that the military bases established by the US in the Aegean islands aim defense against Russia but Ankara was not convinced by this explanation.

Meanwhile, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said in an interview with Milliyet newspaper that Turkey has been waiting for the Greek delegation for the discussions on Confidence Building Measures.

“Two years have passed and they have not come, while we invite them to continue these meetings," the minister said, arguing that Turkey "never harassed or threatened" but will not remain indifferent when it itself receives harassment or threats, doing the "necessary."

Akar also accused Greece of violating the rights of the Muslim minority in Thrace, calling it "Turkish", while he also referred to the operation of a Muslim mosque in Greece, claiming that it is managed by the Orthodox Church.

"They say to the 'Turks' there 'You are not Turks'. Are they Japanese? Their names are Turkish, their relatives are in Turkey," he said.