Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has issued a warning to Greece regarding its military activities on the Aegean islands, emphasizing that Türkiye will not accept what it views as breaches of international agreements. Following his participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, Erdoğan expressed a desire for amicable relations with Greece but urged Athens to rethink its strategy of bolstering military forces on islands Türkiye considers demilitarized as per international treaties.
Greece, on its part, has justified its military presence by citing security concerns and insists on its right to protect its territory. The two nations have a history of disputes over maritime boundaries and proposals for marine parks in the Aegean Sea. Erdoğan clarified that Türkiye does not seek to claim territory from other nations but is resolute in safeguarding what it deems its own rights. He cautioned that disregarding international agreements might escalate tensions and advised Greece to consider the lessons from past conflicts.
Erdoğan also highlighted Türkiye’s intent to strengthen its ties with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization while simultaneously maintaining robust relations with Western countries. During his visit, he engaged in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and security concerns in the Black Sea. Erdoğan underscored the necessity of establishing enduring security measures for commercial shipping, particularly as Turkish vessels face increasing threats in the region.
Moreover, Erdoğan talked about Türkiye’s defense collaborations with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, along with efforts to resolve the conflict involving the PKK. He also touched on Türkiye’s aspirations to reenter the US F-35 fighter jet program. Despite these negotiations with Washington, he affirmed Türkiye’s commitment to advancing its domestically produced KAAN fighter jet.