by Vassilis Nedos
In response to Turkey’s warnings over the eastern Aegean islands and a planned Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection project, Greek diplomatic sources point to the message by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in an interview with ERT last week that, “We do not threaten anyone, but we do not accept anyone threatening us” – underscoring Athens’ refusal to accept threats amid mounting signs of renewed tension between the two NATO allies.
In a recent interview, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan renewed objections centered on what Ankara describes as the “militarization” of eastern Aegean islands and on the resumption of surveys for the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection project.
“The region needs peace, not armaments. War is not to anyone’s benefit. What is essential is peace,” Fidan said, adding that politicians in Greece “insist on this stance” and appear to be moving toward a pre-election climate. Referring to the Greece-Cyprus interconnection, he said Turkish armed forces and the coast guard were in a “highly sensitive” state and expressed hope that “no one there [in Greece] will proceed with a reckless action.”
Beyond the exchange of statements, signs point to further strain in Greek-Turkish relations. A key source of Turkish irritation is the close defense relationship between Greece and Israel. Turkish officials openly accuse Greece of planning to “fortify” islands with Israeli systems that are defensive but also capable of gathering information over long distances.
The issue is tied to Ankara’s long-standing position favoring fully demilitarized eastern Aegean islands. Turkey views cooperation among Greece, Cyprus and Israel as an effort to create a unified space that excludes Turkey from the Eastern Mediterranean.
Attention is also focused on steps involving surveys for the Great Sea Interconnector. French involvement is viewed in Athens as potentially helping overcome the impasse, although early French enthusiasm has reportedly given way to cautious optimism.
*Published first on Kathimerini
By: N. Peter Kramer