Turkey issues sharp response to Greece's remarks on Aegean islands

The Foreign Ministry's reaction to Greece regarding the demilitarized status of the Aegean islands continues. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Öncü Keçeli issued a statement following remarks by Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias concerning the islands and military movements.

In his assessment published on the social media platform X, Keçeli stated, "We find the statements made in recent days regarding the demilitarized status of the Aegean Islands to be unserious, unfortunate, and untimely. The demilitarized status of the East Aegean Islands and the Dodecanese, within the framework of the 1923 Lausanne and 1947 Paris Peace Treaties, is not open to legal debate." Turkey holds the view that recent developments in the region are being exploited in an attempt to turn them into an opportunity for bilateral relations.

Keçeli remarked, "The attempts at fait accompli by certain circles that are trying to turn the recent developments in our region into an opportunity and are striving to negatively affect relations with our NATO ally Greece are quite familiar."

TURKEY'S STANCE IS CLEAR

The spokesperson emphasized that any step taken by circles accusing Turkey of revisionism in violation of international law would be "null and void." Keçeli said, "What is even more instructive is that this mentality, which in the past tried to collectively exterminate the Turkish Cypriots who were co-owners of Cyprus, now claims to protect them. Let them know clearly that the Turkish Cypriots and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus have the ability to ensure their own security with the support of the motherland and guarantor Turkey, and do not need anyone else."

Keçeli also pointed to the value of peace and stability in the region, reiterating Turkey's determination against claims and disinformation put forward for political goals: "We remind those circles that have made both baseless claims and disinformation campaigns against our country a habit that we will not allow faits accomplis, and we invite them to common sense."

BACKGROUND OF GREECE'S STATEMENTS

In recent days, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, in a television program, assessed that sending troops to the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus could provide Turkey with a justification to maintain forces in the TRNC. Dendias also pointed out that Turkey has approximately 40 thousand troops in the TRNC and suggested that the deployment of Greek forces to the region could be an opportunity for the withdrawal of Turkish soldiers.

On the other hand, following Iran's missile attack on British bases in Southern Cyprus, Greece drew attention by sending two F-16 fighter jets and two frigates to the region.