Fidan warns Athens against ‘reckless’ moves as Turkey raises Aegean tensions

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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has warned Greece against what he described as “reckless” actions in the Aegean, saying Turkey’s armed forces and Coast Guard are in an “extremely sensitive” state.

Fidan made the remarks in a television interview as Ankara once again raised its objections to the military presence on Greek islands that Turkey considers subject to demilitarisation provisions.

“Our Armed Forces are in an extremely sensitive state. Our Coast Guard Command is also in an extremely sensitive state,” Fidan said.

“We hope no one there will take any reckless action. We hope they will do what peace and calm require.”

He then issued a more direct warning to Athens.

“If they go further and attempt reckless actions, then the power of this state [Turkey] is known to everyone,” Fidan said.

Turkey repeats island demilitarisation claims

Fidan reiterated Ankara’s longstanding position that Turkey does not accept the militarisation of Greek islands that it says have a demilitarised status.

“We do not accept at all the militarisation of islands with a demilitarised status,” he said, adding that Turkey was pursuing the issue through what he described as “careful and persistent” diplomatic efforts.

Fidan also suggested that Ankara sometimes chooses not to make its actions public.

“Publicising certain things can create more problems for Greece than for us,” he said.

Turkey has repeatedly argued that Greece is violating international treaty obligations through its military presence on certain Aegean islands. Athens rejects Turkey’s interpretation of the issue and maintains that its sovereign rights and security cannot be subject to Turkish demands.

Fidan links Greek stance to elections

Fidan also connected Greece’s position to domestic politics, arguing that political rhetoric could intensify as the country moves towards an election period.

“In Greece, politicians insist on this stance. And now we see that they are moving toward a pre-election climate. This language will be used a little more from now on,” he said.

He added that Ankara would focus on what Greece does in practice rather than only its political statements.

“We, however, to a certain extent, look at what happens in practice,” Fidan said.

His comments come amid a series of increasingly pointed statements from both sides over the Aegean, Greek territorial rights and the military status of the islands.

Athens says it will not back down on sovereign rights

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis has repeatedly said Athens wants to avoid uncontrolled escalation while maintaining Greece’s sovereign rights.

Earlier this month, Gerapetritis said Greece had prepared scenarios for any increase in pressure and was ready to respond if necessary, while stressing that dialogue with Turkey should remain open.

Gerapetritis has also stated that Greece does not accept negotiations over questions of sovereignty and considers the delimitation of the continental shelf and Exclusive Economic Zone as the dispute that could potentially be referred to international judicial proceedings.

The latest exchange adds to a period of heightened rhetoric between Athens and Ankara, although both governments continue to maintain diplomatic channels.

Source: Tovima, Anadolu Agency.

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