EU’s “Greece” reaction to Turkey: Hostile remarks raise concerns

The European Union (EU) has made a statement regarding Erdogan’s words about Greece saying “We will do the necessary in the Aegean Sea when the time comes”. The statement described Erdogan’s remarks as hostile and said the threats must stop.

Turkey and Greece, two NATO member countries that have become particularly tense during election periods, have recently been in dispute over various issues, from their airspace, islands in the Aegean sea, maritime jurisdictions and the continental shelf, to hydrocarbon resources in the Mediterranean and Cyprus.

Sources of the Ministry of National Defense stated that Greece had thrown a radar lock on Turkish jets on a mission flight for a total of 56 minutes within 20 days. Erdogan also said that Greece threatened Turkey with both the US base in Alexandroupolis and the S-300 air defense system, saying: ”Your occupation of the islands does not bind us. When the time comes, we will do what is necessary. You know, we say; We can come suddenly one night”.

EU: THREATS NEED TO STOP

After these statements, Peter Stano, a spokesman for the EU’s top foreign affairs official Josep Borrell, said: “The continuing hostile statements against Greece from the top Turkish politicians raise serious concerns. These are at odds with efforts to reduce tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean as needed,” he said.

”Threats and aggressive rhetoric, which are unacceptable, must stop,” Stano said, stressing that the EU demanded that differences of opinion be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law. He went on to say, “The EU reiterates its demands that Turkey continue to work towards a sustainable reduction in tensions to ensure security in the Eastern Mediterranean and to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all EU countries.”