A formal diplomatic note has already been sent to Turkey over the matter from the very start, and European authorities have been briefed. The institutions are aware of the rising tension, and Greece is expected to take further action. With these words, Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis addressed parliament a short time ago, commenting on developments in Greek-Turkish relations and Turkey’s declaration of two “marine parks” in the northeastern Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean.
Gerapetritis described the Turkish move as illegal under international law and said the reaction from Greece’s neighbor comes because Greece has taken initiatives to actively defend its sovereignty on the ground.
“Turkey’s reactions are coming because, for the first time, Greece has taken initiatives to defend its sovereignty and sovereign rights on the ground. If this bothers them, if our active diplomacy bothers them, that’s not something that concerns us. We will keep building up Greece’s strength to bring it somewhere it has never been,” he said, responding to a topical question from Plefsi Eleftherias MP Alexandros Kazamias.
Gerapetritis carefully avoided commenting on the resignation of the prime minister’s advisor, Sotiris Serbos, saying only that reports he disagreed with the government’s foreign policy were baseless.
Among other things, he addressed criticism over Turkish airspace violations, which he acknowledged, but noted they are far fewer than in the past, particularly compared to 2015-2016. He also defended Greece’s relationship with Israel, saying it would not be scaled back just because it bothers Turkey.
“It’s regrettable that they exist at all, but compared to the thousands we saw in the past, there’s a clear de-escalation today,” he said, adding: “I’m sorry, are you here to tell us to end our international partnership with Israel because it bothers Turkey? Your position is irresponsible.”
