Greece’s equipment and alliances annoy Turkey – How Cavusoglu reacted

By Penelope Galliou

Armament programs and the strengthening of international alliances and relations outline the strengthening of Greece’s international footprint in a critical geopolitical period, intensifying the irritation of Turkey, which continuously and thanks to the intensive movements of Greece, does not stop receiving messages to de-escalate the provocative her behaviors.

Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos from the Ikaron School in Dekelia, which he visited for the celebration of the Patron Saint of the Air Force Archangel Michael, referred to Greece’s armament programs and the strengthening of the war machine on land, air and sea. “

“We have declared in every tone in all directions: We will not stop the intensive effort to strengthen the Armed Forces even more by means” explained the Greek Minister of Defense, referring at the same time to the two new “Rafale”, which flew for the celebration of the War Aviation and belong to the second six that are under delivery this time. “They just came from France. They were received by another “Rafale” that took off from its base in Tanagra” said Mr. Panagiotopoulos, expressing the wish “at every celebration of the Air Force to have one or more new vehicles appear in the Greek skies . You understand that the symbolism is powerful. The next four Rafales from the second six will be delivered in the near future, at a rate of about one per month. And on and on.” The Defense Minister spoke of a bright future for the Air Force “since the Rafales are already inducted, the modernization of eighty-three F-16s to the Viper version, the most advanced version in the world today, is proceeding rapidly. The decision has been made for the modernization of the F-16 Block 50. Greece has joined the F-35 program, in a few months we are waiting for the response to the LOR we have sent in order for this process to evolve as well, and so on,” he concluded.

Embarrassment and irritation from Ankara

Turkey, however, is unable to manage its irritation and annoyance at Greece’s strategic moves and alliances with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu showing his annoyance after the Greek Defense Minister’s statements that Greece has joined the program F-35 and waiting for a response. “It is difficult to say anything about the F-35, but there is no problem with the F-16,” commented Mr. Cavusoglu, adding that “the balance of the US has broken in Cyprus and Greece” and claiming that this is why Ankara has warn the US. A little earlier, Mevlut Cavusoglu once again targeted the islands of the eastern Aegean. “We continued our diplomatic and legal steps to militarize the islands that have a demilitarized status. In the last year, the two letters we sent to the UN disturbed the balance of Greece,” he claimed.

The internationalization of Turkish provocation brings new supporters of Greek positions

At the same time as the strengthening of Greece in armaments, the strengthening of the country’s international relations continues and the parallel internationalization of the country’s positions against Ankara’s challenges, with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias informing his Serbian counterpart about the provocative actions and threats war launched by Turkey against Greece. “It is certain that it is not Greece that desires or cultivates tension. It is not Greece that cultivates escalation. Greece is always in favor of dialogue for reasons of principle, but always on the basis of respect for international law and the international law of the sea.” emphasized Mr. Dendias. The Serbian Foreign Minister, Ivica Dacic, expressed this position, stressing that the territorial integrity and Greek sovereignty are not disputed. “Serbia strongly and consistently supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Greece and Cyprus both on land and at sea and in the air. Therefore, Greece’s sovereignty over all the Aegean islands is not disputed,” he stressed.

The Chinese ambassador in Athens, Xiao Juncheng, also appeared supportive of the Greek positions in a press conference he gave at the embassy. Referring to the entry ban from Turkey to the Regional Governor of Central Macedonia, Apostolos Tzitzikostas underlined that it is not reasonable behavior on the part of Turkey, while he emphasized that the policy of the Greek government in the Eastern Mediterranean and the attitude of Greece is reasonable.

The EU has again put a brake on Turkey’s ambitions in the Eastern Mediterranean. After revising the framework for restrictive measures in response to Turkey’s unauthorized drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Council of Ministers issued a decision to extend the regime for one year and specifically until 12 November 2023. Therefore, the European Union retains its ability to impose targeted restrictive measures on persons or entities responsible for or involved in unauthorized hydrocarbon drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.

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