THESSALONIKI (dpa-AFX) – In the conflict with Turkey, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis continues to rely on communication. “I am always ready to meet with the Turkish President,” he said at a press conference in Thessaloniki on Sunday. Of course, he cannot force Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan to meet, but he is hoping for talks at the first meeting of the “European Political Community” in Prague at the beginning of October. The heads of state and government of 44 countries are to be invited there.
The relationship between the two neighboring countries and NATO members had recently reached a low point. Last Monday, Erdogan openly threatened military action when he said: “We can suddenly come one night.” Ankara accuses Athens of illegally militarizing Greek islands in the east Aegean and is therefore questioning Greek sovereignty over these islands. There is also a dispute about the exploitation of mineral resources in the Aegean. In May, Erdogan severed the line to Mitsotakis and also declared all other communication channels between the countries to be closed.
However, Mitsotakis does not believe that Turkey’s aggressive rhetoric could lead to a war. “No, because I can’t imagine a war between Greece and Turkey,” he said when asked. He believes Turkey is very well aware of the effectiveness of the Greek armed forces.
Mitsotakis suspected that the provocations from Ankara had more to do with the elections that are due in Turkey next year. However, the aggressive rhetoric is a mistake, “because it poisons Turkish society and undermines good-neighborly relations between Greece and Turkey.” Even militarized, the Greek islands pose no threat to Turkey, the prime minister emphasized once again – this is known internationally./tt/DP/he