Monday, December 7, 2020. Greek
Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias has accused Turkey of launching military
operations in foreign countries, seizing parts of neighboring countries. He also
stressed that Ankara could continue without sanctions and that Turkey's
ambitions in the region would not be tolerated. Dendias called on Turkey to
prove that Athens wants good neighborly relations with Ankara. "We are
open to constructive dialogue with Turkey," he said.
The European Union (EU) and Greece
have been angered by Turkey's gas exploration in the Mediterranean and the coast
of Greece and Cyprus this year, sparking a major dispute between Turkey and
Greece. The Greek warning comes in the wake of Turkey's energy exploration
allegations. Greece has accused its Turkish counterpart of wanting to gradually
occupy neighboring countries by launching unnecessary military operations at
this time.
Their disagreement escalated in
early August when Turkey sent a reconnaissance ship along with disputed
warships near the Greek coasts and extended the operation three times despite
repeated calls from the European Union and Greece suspends operations there.
The Greek foreign minister added
that Turkey was disputing the sovereignty and independence of European
countries, handing them over to extremists and in order to undermine European
security. He also accused Turkey of supporting extremist activities.
"We have been in trouble with Turkey
for the past 18 months. It has never happened that such a constant situation
has existed between us. Turkey was working to bring back the Ottomans and took
new directions, in opposition to EU governments. Said the Greek FM.
The Erdogan government claims to
have the largest coastline of all the eastern Mediterranean countries, and has
the right to explore the resources there such as natural gas. Athens says its
claims are based on international law and previous agreements signed by Ankara
and that Turkey has violated all of those laws. Turkish officials have insisted
that the exploration ships will return to work and will continue its
exploration there.
During the conflict, both countries
sent warships to the region, and live ammunition demonstrations took place in
the area between Crete, Cyprus, and the southern coast of Turkey which further
fueled the conflict between the two sides. European powers such as France have
also expressed support for Greece, warning Turkey of its ambitions in the
region. Meanwhile, two Turkish and Greek ships collided in recent months,
causing minor damage to the Turkish ship but no injuries.
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