[News] Greece calls on NATO not to tolerate Turkey's aggressive actions

[HiTLeR]

 

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said during talks with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg today, Thursday, that "the alliance should not continue to tolerate Turkish aggressive actions in the eastern Mediterranean."

Dendias called on NATO to take a tougher stance with Turkey, stressing that Ankara's actions violate NATO principles and undermine the cohesion and effectiveness of the alliance.

Greek media quoted diplomatic sources as saying that Stoltenberg pledged to take steps to help calm the situation.

In this context, Greek media confirmed today that Turkey had failed to intercept Greek fighters that participated in maneuvers in the Mediterranean.

The Greek newspaper "Ekathimerini" reported that six Greek F-16 fighters took part today in joint military exercises with Cyprus, France and Italy in the eastern Mediterranean.

The newspaper quoted reliable sources as saying that Turkey spotted the six fighters on their way to Cyprus, adding: "The Turkish side tried to intercept the planes during their return, but the attempt was unsuccessful."

In another context, the Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides called today on the European Union countries "to defend the values and principles of the Union in the face of Turkey's illegal and provocative moves in the Eastern Mediterranean."

For its part, Germany called, Thursday, to stop naval maneuvers in the eastern Mediterranean to allow the start of talks between Greece and Turkey, which are in conflict over gas resources and the demarcation of maritime borders.

And discuss the European Union foreign ministers in Berlin, tension in the eastern Mediterranean, where observers fear that the conflict between the two members of NATO will turn into an accidental military confrontation.

On Thursday, Turkey announced military exercises at the edges of its territorial waters in the northeastern corner of the Mediterranean, after Greece conducted exercises in which France, Cyprus and Italy participated.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who tried to mediate between the two parties, told reporters: "We need a diplomatic solution to this conflict. The preconditions for these talks are for these maneuvers to stop in the eastern Mediterranean."

He added, "Certainly, the parties will not sit at the table when warships are facing each other in the eastern Mediterranean."

The European Union is angered by Turkey sending ships to drill for gas in waters claimed by Greece. Earlier this year, the bloc imposed sanctions on two Turkish citizens for their links to the activities.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell will present to the ministers a "set of options" to deal with Turkey, according to officials, noting that he is keen to stress the importance of continuing the dialogue with Ankara.

"The credibility of Europe is at stake," Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides said upon his arrival in Berlin on Thursday. The European Union, a union of 27 member states, must defend universal values, for an international global order based on the values and principles of the European Union. "The solidarity of the European Union must be real and tangible," he added.

His Austrian counterpart, Alexander Schallenberg, said that the eastern Mediterranean "is constantly growing a powder keg," adding that the number of naval vessels makes accidents "almost inevitable." He added that "Turkey ignores all the charters .. international law cannot be negotiated."

For its part, Turkey extended, on Thursday, the controversial mission to explore for gas in the eastern Mediterranean. The Turkish Navy announced the extension of the mission of the seismic survey vessel “Aruj Reis” and the accompanying warships for an additional five days ending Tuesday.