Greek PM slams Turkey’s ‘steady aggressive behaviour’ | Political Information

ATHENS, Greece (AP) – Greece’s prime minister on Tuesday stated Russia’s struggle in Ukraine was a “watershed second” in Europe’s course, stressing that any form of consequence that would encourage aggression by different nations on the continent have to be averted .

Greece, which has longstanding disputes with far bigger neighbor Turkey, which has introduced it to the brink of struggle thrice up to now half-century, has strongly backed Ukraine in its struggle in opposition to Russian invasion.

“The Battle of Ukraine is not only one other occasion on the worldwide stage. It’s a turning level in the middle of Europe,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated in a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

“We owe it to Ukraine right now to avert a fait accompli that could possibly be imitated tomorrow by new potential troublemakers,” he stated.

Mitsotakis famous he was referring to “the fixed aggressive habits of Turkey,” with which relations had grow to be more and more strained over the previous two years. Though each are NATO members, the 2 international locations have had decades-long disputes over a spread of points, together with territorial claims within the Aegean and power exploration rights within the jap Mediterranean.

Current disputes have centered on Greek islands off Turkey’s coast, with Ankara accusing Athens of sustaining a navy presence there in violation of treaties. Greece counters that it’s appearing underneath worldwide regulation and is defending its islands in opposition to Turkish hostilities.

“One factor is for certain, we do not want a brand new revisionism and the revival of imperial fantasies,” Mitsotakis stated. “Yet one more factor is for certain: Greece won’t tolerate any questioning of its nationwide sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The Greek prime minister stated his nation “retains our doorways closed to threats and our home windows open to peaceable contacts.” Disputes between nations are resolved on the premise of worldwide regulation, not bullying.”

Final Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Greece of violating its airspace – one thing Greece has often accused Turkey of violating its personal airspace and denies violating Turkey’s.

“We do not have a problem like ‘Let’s go to struggle in opposition to Greece, let’s go to struggle.’ However Greece just isn’t protecting its guarantees,” Erdogan stated after Friday prayers, accusing Greece of violating Turkish airspace 147 occasions.

“After all, in the event you violate our airspace on this manner, then what falls on us? My Luftwaffe will give you the required imagery. That is what our air pressure is doing,” Erdogan stated, including: “Our armed forces are doing their responsibility and if these airspace violations proceed after that, we are going to proceed doing our responsibility in the identical manner.”

The Turkish president stated the leaders of many NATO international locations tried to reconcile him and Mitsotakis. Erdogan stated “we’re not interested by that for the time being” however will see what occurs sooner or later after which consider it.

Zeynep Bilginsoy contributed to this report from Istanbul.