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Tensions are rising between Turkey and Greece. The Turkish Foreign Minister warned on Tuesday that Ankara could challenge the sovereignty of the Greek islands. As VOA’s Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul, the threat comes at a time when both sides are stepping up their military presence in the disputed waters of the Aegean Sea.
Tensions over the Aegean Sea continue to escalate as Turkey and Greece accuse each other of violating airspace with fighter jets.
The sea is the center of disputed territorial rights.
Earlier this month, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that, for him, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis “no longer exists.” The comment followed a call by Prime Minister Mitsotakis to the US Congress to block the sale of military equipment to Turkey.
Ankara is alarmed by Greece’s rearmament program, which Turkey claims is focusing on islands near it.
“They buy $ 5 billion worth of fighter jets from France, new cruisers, and also helicopters, $ 10 billion worth of naval equipment from the United States. Also, new F-35 aircraft. In these conditions, Turkey says: “What is happening in the Greek islands? “Will they decide to attack Turkey?” argues for the Voice of America Mesut Casin, advisor to the Turkish president.
Greece’s rearmament comes after the US Congress blocked Turkey’s efforts to buy weapons from the United States over concerns about Ankara buying a Russian missile system. Analysts say Ankara is concerned about changing the balance of power between the two countries.
“Turkey has been denied modern military equipment for a number of reasons. “While Greece is enjoying increased access to such weapons and this, of course, will tilt the military situation in favor of Greece.” says for VOA Serhat Guvenc with Kadir Has University.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu escalated tensions on Tuesday, warning that Turkey was ready to challenge the sovereignty of the Greek islands and accusing Athens of violating an international treaty stipulating that the islands should remain demilitarized. But Greece insists it is acting in self-defense.
Athens is expressing concern that Ankara could open its borders to allow refugees to enter Greece, as well as increase military pressure on its Aegean islands.
“We are very curious about what will happen to the issue of migration or refugees and what will be Turkey’s next steps on the issue of the island’s sovereignty, militarization, military maneuvers and so on. “At the moment Greece has decided to continue with a series of protective and other measures, and I think there will be really difficult times ahead.” says defense analyst Athanasios Drougos.
Analysts say both Greek and Turkish leaders are portraying themselves as strong men trying to please nationalist voters.
But deepening Athens’ ties with Washington and the European Union – while Ankara faces isolation – is putting Turkey in a delicate position.
“These are the consequences of the strategic mistakes that Turkey has made in the last decade. “By distancing myself from everyone, an overconfidence was created, if I may say so, in Turkey’s ability to give a single shape to the surrounding space.” says Serhat Guvenc with Kadir Has University.
The deployment of oil-seeking vessels from Turkey in ports near the disputed waters between Greece and Cyprus creates another point of tension, which could lead to even more isolation./VOA
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