Dec 29, 2022
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu directly threatened Greece with war if it proceeds with the extension of its territorial waters south and west of the island of Crete. Prompt was the reaction of Greece with ruling New Democracy MEPs to urge the European Commission to take measures against Turkey’s aggressiveness.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Cavusoglu referred to the recent relevant reports by Greek media on the extension of territorial waters and said:
“There have been articles in the Greek press over the last days that there will be an expansion of territorial waters to 12 miles around Crete. Our position on this matter is clear. We will not allow not only the extension of territorial waters in the Aegean [by Greece] to 12 miles, but not even to one mile.”
Recalling the casus belli – cause of war- decision against Greece, he openly threatened: “the decision of our parliament from 1995 on the issue is clear and is still in effect.”
“I would like to warn Greece one more time. Do not play tough based on those who you want to have on your side. Do not start adventures that you know will have a bad end,” he added.
Turkey’s FM stated also “we continue to protect our rights and interests in the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean. Our Ministry of Defense is in the field and we are simultaneously asserting our rights through diplomacy.”
Note that Turkey has absolutely nothing to do with the south and west of Crete…
and has nothing to do with the illegal agreement between Turkey and Libya.
Prompt was the reaction of Greece that speaks of a “blunt and direct war threat.”
Government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou said “Greece is neither intimidated nor terrorized. The Greek government governs based solely on international law and national interests.”
He added that “The tactic of threats and provocations, which Turkey follows, is an absolute impasse since Greece is neither intimidated nor terrorized. It would be useful for Turkish officials to think about the deadlock and not continue on the same path and in the new year.”
New Democracy MEP Mihalis Kefaloggianis called on the European Commission to take measures against Turkey for the “direct and blunt threat of war.”
“Taking measures against Turkey for the direct and blunt threat of war against Greece by the Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, if our country expands its territorial waters, which is its unilateral and inalienable right under the Organization Convention of the United Nations for the Law of the Sea”, Kefalogiannis asked in a question he submitted to the European Commission.
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