Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has issued a warning to Greece, urging it to halt the expansion of its military presence on islands in the Aegean Sea. He emphasized that Türkiye would not accept actions it views as breaches of international agreements. Erdoğan’s remarks came after his participation in a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. He expressed a desire for amicable relations with Greece but called on Athens to reconsider its strategy of stationing military forces on islands that, according to Ankara, are meant to remain demilitarized under existing international treaties.
In response, Greece has defended its military deployment, citing security concerns and affirming its right to protect its territory. The two nations have a history of disputes over maritime boundaries and plans for marine parks in the Aegean Sea. Erdoğan clarified that Türkiye harbors no ambitions to annex territory from other countries but insisted on defending what it perceives as its rights. He cautioned that disregarding international treaties could escalate tensions and urged Greece to reflect on past conflicts.
Additionally, Erdoğan expressed Türkiye’s interest in deepening its ties with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization while maintaining robust connections with Western nations. During his visit, he held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, focusing on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and security in the Black Sea. Erdoğan called for measures to ensure lasting security for commercial shipping, highlighting the increasing risks faced by Turkish vessels in the area.
The Turkish president also addressed topics such as Türkiye’s defense collaborations with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, efforts to resolve the PKK conflict, and Ankara’s ongoing attempts to rejoin the US F-35 fighter jet program. He noted that Türkiye would persist in advancing its domestically developed KAAN fighter aircraft, even as negotiations with the United States continue.