Greek-Turkish: Ankara raises the tension again – Coolness and alliances, the doctrine of Athens

By Niki Zorba

This summer, Ankara is also trying to make the Eastern Mediterranean a “fireplace”, which, obviously squeezed by its internal – many and serious – issues, but also irritated by the brakes put on Turkish revisionism by Greece’s allies, is constantly raising the decibels of the challenges.

The strongman of Ankara, Ibrahim Kalin, made new incendiary statements, which are only a sign of the Turkish president’s aspirations.

Referring to new “investigations” of the drilling rig “Abdulhamit Khan” in the eastern Mediterranean announced by Turkey, Ibrahim Kalin announced through pro-Turkish media, speaking of … maximalist positions of Greece:

1. “No one, including our Greek friends, should be afraid of Abdulhamit Khan. Turkey is conducting exploration and drilling activities in its territorial waters within the framework of its sovereign rights.”

2. “As the Oruc Reis and our other ships have made explorations in the past, so will the ship Abdulhamid Khan.

3. Greece’s plan to create opposing fronts has largely collapsed. When you put Greece’s maximalist demands before us as facts on the ground, no one should expect us to accept them.

Brake on Turkish revisionism from Berlin-Paris

“The Greek islands are Greek territory and no one has the right to question that,” said the German Foreign Minister. Burbock, without leaving, as the German press underlined after the German Foreign Minister’s visit to Athens, any doubt in Athens about Berlin’s position in the dispute over the Eastern Aegean islands that Ankara instigates.

The clear support of Paris was reaffirmed by the French Foreign Minister meeting her Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias:

“We will closely monitor the developments and you can really be sure that we will be on your side,” said Katrin Colona characteristically after the meeting with Nikos Dendias, in Paris.

Ankara’s strong dissatisfaction with the attitude of Greece’s European allies, especially Germany, which has traditionally had a pro-Turkish flavor, is also reflected in the statements of Cavusoglu, who praised the role of Angela Merkel in contrast to the current policy pursued by the Berlin after her departure. Back then, under Merkel, Germany was an “honest mediator” and “impartial,” Cavusoglu said, concluding: Today, Germany and the European Union are falling into the trap of Greek propaganda.

Dendias: Coolness and faith in International Law

Another message about how Athens reacts to Turkish provocations was sent by Foreign Minister N. Dendias in an interview (Action24 Press).

Greece reacts calmly and stays within the framework of International and European Law, he clarifies, while when asked about Erdoğan’s aggressive statements against Greece and Mr. Mitsotakis personally, he characteristically emphasizes that the country is doing what it has to do, reacting with calmness, repeats its positions, does not get involved in personal disputes, does not personalize disputes, stays within the framework of International Law and the European framework that serves its interests.