In Ankara, they follow the movements of the Greek side very closely – Maximos points out that the strength of the Greek side beyond diplomacy is the deterrent power of the country
By Antonis Anzoletou
From the Capitol and Washington to the European Parliament and Strasbourg, Mr Kyriakos Mitsotakis the internationalization of Turkish provocation. Next Tuesday, the prime minister will close a cycle of important interventions whose main objective was to highlight the particularly important role that Greece plays in the region of the south-eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans. After the speech of Mr. Mitsotakis in the Plenary, there will be a round of interventions by the leaders of the political groups in the thematic debate “This Europe”. Inside, things are not quiet either. Electoral debate has flared up next Wednesday in the Parliament Alexis Tsipras, in the previous day’s debate on social policy, he is said to be determined to open up the whole range of issues – and national ones – by harshly criticizing the government for its handling.
Escalating the rhetoric
In Ankara, they follow very closely the movements of the Greek side. The “crowns” of the pro-government press who continue the rhetoric about Greek violations and arms rallies are everyday. Not a few hours have passed since the NATO Summit in Madrid and the Tayyip Erdogan he continued to speak in high tones. This time, however, the intervention included meddling in Greece’s internal affairs. “It is a fact that our neighbor in the Aegean is not on the same level with us politically, economically and militarily. That is why in Turkey’s strategic calculations it has its rightful place. I hope that the Greek people will give the message and the lesson through the democratic way, to their rulers who are running after adventures which will bring a disastrous end for the Greek people”.
The response was immediate from the Greek side, which showed that it is not willing to let such challenges fall to the ground. Government sources spoke of “clear interference in the internal affairs of the country and in favor of Alexis Tsipras”. THE Giannis Oikonomou he emphasized that “the continuous strengthening of Greece – militarily, diplomatically and economically – saddens Mr. Erdogan and leads him to statements that go beyond the usual. Greek men and women have the necessary historical education and patriotism to keep their ears hermetically closed to the exhortations of those who are plotting against their homeland”. The government representative added that “it is very obvious that the successes of the Prime Minister and the strengthening of Greece do not leave Mr. Erdogan alone. Although he would prefer a weak Greece, we do and will continue to do what our national rights promote. After all, the really strong do not need to chant it every three or so “.
The messages of Madrid
The window left by Joe Biden in Madrid for congressional approval of the purchase and modernization of the F-16 was a narrative that the Turkish president would not let go unexploited. However, experienced analysts maintain that nothing has changed and that the US government’s stance on the specific aircraft has been known since last year in December. The Turkish president has used his presence in Madrid to score points at home and erase some of the many cracks his profile has suffered. This was also helped by the four-four with Joe Biden, as well as the agreement with the Sweden and Finland for lifting the NATO membership veto.
Tayyip Erdogan did not raise the issues of demilitarization or the sovereignty of the Greek islands in the Spanish capital. This rhetoric could not stand at such a high level, government sources say. Experienced observers estimate that although he wants to lead his country to “crisis conditions” in the elections for expediency reasons, he will never take things to the extreme. His strategy, however, to question the status of the eastern islands of the Aegean is a given. Migration continues to be another big issue that the government and the Ministry of Migration Policy are monitoring, as refugee inflows to Greece have almost doubled in recent times.
As far as the “Mitsotakis yoke” is concerned, the Turkish president seems to be lowering the bar. “We will see it accordingly and evaluate it accordingly”, was his new statement, leaving an open window for a meeting with the Greek prime minister. Ambiguous stance if one considers his provocative report that calls for a change in political data in Greece. It is no coincidence that he has been characterized as “unpredictable”. No one can know if the calm waters that exist at the moment will last for long. Since he chose to get involved in Greek matters and his opposition is moving in an even more nationalist line, Erdogan does not have much room to smooth the lines. Maximos points out that the strength of the Greek side beyond diplomacy is the deterrent power of the country which is constantly being strengthened. For this reason, the procedures for the acquisition of the F-35s are being accelerated, as a message for the readiness that exists, but also for the relations that have been built with the American side. In Washington will be found Nikos Panagiotopoulos on July 18. Already 83 F-16 Vipers are being upgraded, while a few days ago the upgrade of 38 to F-16 block 50+ was approved.
Among the positives of the NATO Summit in the Greek government are the reports on maintaining stability in the Aegean. In short, her criminal attitude of Russia has activated the Alliance’s reflexes to defend the territorial integrity of member states.
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