Mitsotakis-Erdogan in Madrid – Athens ready to respond to any possible challenge from Turkey

Of Dimitris Gatsiou

With the text of the European Council Conclusions, through which Brussels calls on Turkey to leave the… side of threats and move on the τα path of de-escalation, in its luggage as a strong acquis of Athens’ diplomatic demarcation, the prime minister arrives today in Madrid, in order to give the “present” to the crucial NATO Summit.

The preparatory meetings at the Maximos Palace have been continuous in recent days, with the Greek capital turning its attention to the work of a key Summit on the future of the Alliance, at a time of geopolitical developments, as determined by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The major issue of broadcasting a strong signal of unity, through Sweden and Finland joining NATO, is one of the top issues, amid threats by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to veto, with consultations beginning in of Spain from early this morning and the interest to be focused, in the first phase, on the position that Ankara will finally want to keep in this important momentum, with all its previous pacing having caused irritation among the Allies.

First four quarters

In addition to issues related to the accession prospects of Sweden and Finland, Athens is also focusing on the first meeting that the Prime Minister will have with Mr. Erdogan, a few weeks after the inclusive “Mitsotakis yoke” of the Turkish president and part of the due to work of restraint of the neighbor.

Mr Mitsotakis and Mr Erdogan will be present… live at the dinner to be given to the Alliance leaders by the King of Spain (at nine-thirty in Greece) in a four-on-four that may be the… orbit of the neighbor’s real intentions in Madri. as to its hitherto revised and unhistorical verbalisms.

Whether the Ankara leadership will want to pull the strings of provocations (as has been seen in the pro-government press of the neighboring country) remains to be seen in the coming hours, as the Greek capital sends a message of calm and determination. , having completed a significant round of Allied briefings on Ankara… dangerous turmoil, causing cracks in the section.

“As we always do in all fora, Greece calmly, substantiated, decisively, with arguments based on International Law, deconstructs every absurd, unhistorical and vile Turkish claim.

We do not go to the NATO Summit “with the belt untied for a fight”, but there is no way we can leave unanswered any challenge. The country is going to the NATO Summit to make a creative contribution to the Alliance’s agenda, with a clear and unequivocal position in favor of Sweden and Finland joining.

“At the same time, however, unwavering in terms of our national sovereignty, our national rights, unyielding in terms of any challenge, any construction that can not stand in the way of international treaties and international law,” he noted. during the briefing of the journalists, the government representative, Giannis Oikonomou.

Athens, therefore, is guided by international law, its strong positions and the upgrading of its alliances, and Mr. Mitsotakis will not be the first to mention the rise of Turkish delinquency, both in terms of rhetoric and level of violations. unless provoked by Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

After all, the Greek capital has no intention of turning the NATO Summit into a forum for confrontation with its neighbor, although it is clear in all tones that nothing will be left unanswered.

“Mr. Mitsotakis, having already informed the allies and partners of Greece, the United States and the European Union about the Turkish provocation and the Greek positions, will go to the Spanish capital in order to contribute constructively to the regular agenda of the Summit, having a clear and a clear position in favor of the two countries joining NATO.

“There is no way, however, to leave unanswered any provocation from the Turkish side, if Ankara chooses to raise issues related to Greek law,” government officials said, recalling the prime minister’s stance in a press conference at the end. the work of the European Council.

“If any issue is raised regarding the relations between Greece and Turkey, the appropriate answers will be given in the strictest way,” he said.