Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has issued a stern warning to Greece, urging it to halt the bolstering of military forces on the Aegean islands. Erdoğan emphasized that Turkey would not stand by if it perceives Greece’s actions as breaches of international accords. His comments came after participating in a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, where he expressed Turkey’s interest in fostering amicable relations with Greece. However, Erdoğan urged Athens to reconsider its strategy of stationing troops on islands that Turkey believes should remain demilitarized in accordance with international treaties.
Greece, on the other hand, defends its military deployments as a necessary measure for national security and asserts its right to protect its territory. The disagreement over the militarization of these islands adds to the existing friction between the two nations, which have also been at odds over maritime boundaries and the establishment of marine parks in the Aegean Sea. Erdoğan reiterated that Turkey is not seeking to annex any territory but is determined to safeguard what it views as its legitimate rights. He cautioned that Greece’s disregard for international agreements could exacerbate tensions and suggested that Athens should heed lessons from historical conflicts.
In addition to addressing regional issues with Greece, Erdoğan highlighted Turkey’s aspirations to strengthen its involvement with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization while maintaining robust ties with Western allies. During his visit to the summit, he engaged in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, focusing on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and security in the Black Sea. Erdoğan emphasized the necessity of securing safe passage for commercial shipping, as Turkish vessels have encountered heightened threats in the area.
Furthermore, Erdoğan spoke about Turkey’s defense collaborations, mentioning dialogues with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. He also touched upon Ankara’s ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict with the PKK and its attempts to re-enter the US F-35 fighter jet program. Despite these diplomatic endeavors, Erdoğan affirmed Turkey’s commitment to advancing its domestically manufactured KAAN fighter aircraft, even as negotiations with the United States proceed.