The tone in the conflict between Greece and Turkey is becoming sharper. Athens underscores its readiness for dialogue – and at the same time directs clear words to Ankara.
In the conflict with Turkey, Greece once again signaled its willingness to engage in dialogue, but resisted threats from Ankara. Turkey has the right to defend its interests on the basis of international law, according to a statement by the Foreign Ministry late Wednesday evening.
“However, it has no right to blatantly violate international law and threaten Greece with war, with casus belli.” Greece itself has no claims against Turkey.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had previously criticized the militarization of Greek islands again on Wednesday evening, according to the state news agency Anadolu. Drone footage showed that armored vehicles were stationed there, which was unacceptable. He also warned the US not to include Greece in false calculations and not allow international public opinion to be manipulated.
Treaty of Lausanne regulates demilitarization of islands
The militarization of Greek islands, which has existed for decades, has recently been increasingly addressed by Ankara. The Treaty of Lausanne (1923) stipulates that islands such as Lesbos and Samos off Turkey’s west coast must be demilitarized.
However, Greece has stationed its military there since the beginning of the Cyprus conflict in 1974 – for self-defense, as Athens emphasizes, because Turkey has stationed numerous landing craft on its west coast. Ankara argues that Greece could lose sovereignty over the islands concerned because of the breach of contract through militarization.
Source: Stern
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