NEWS

Greek Foreign Affairs Ministry responds to Turkish Defense Minister's statement on Aegean islands

Greek Foreign Affairs Ministry responds to Turkish Defense Minister's statement on Aegean islands

The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs on midday Saturday responded to a statement made by Turkey's National Defense Minister, Hulusi Akar, to Anadolu News Agency on Saturday morning, and which read that "Greece violates international law and treaties by arming Aegean islands."

Replying to journalists' questions, the Foreign Ministry's spokesperson, A. Yennimatas, said that "since Turkey claims to respect good neighborly relations, it should learn to respect international law as it stands, and not in the arbitrary way it interprets it."

"Turkey should work towards de-escalating tensions and building trust and must desist from continuous fruitless provocations," added Yennimatas, and continued saying that "the raising of such issues by the Turkish side, particularly when it threatens a sovereign country with war against its legitimate-sovereign right that stems from international law, does not rise to the level of relations that Greece, as a democratic and European country, wishes to foster with all its neighboring countries," is the full statement by Yennimatas.

Earlier on Saturday, the Turkish Defense Minister said these Aegean islands have been placed under demilitarized status and called on his Greek counterpart to take necessary steps in this regard.

The Turkish minister also stated that Athens "should end its violations which are contrary to treaties and incompatible with friendship and good neighborly relations,” adding that "the demilitarized status of these islands should be protected."

Akar underlined that Turkey favors problem solving in the Mediterranean Sea, the Aegean Sea and the disputed island of Cyprus, by peaceful means, as Ankara respects international treaties.

"We are in favor of good neighborly relations. We expect all our neighbors to behave in the same way," added Akar.

Akar urged his Greek counterpart to take necessary measures in the framework of sincere, constructive bilateral relations, but reiterated Turkey's determined stance to protect its rights and interest.

Source: ana-mpa