Cavusoglu, in an interview with the state television network TRT Haber, referred both to the issue of F-16s and US restrictions, as well as overflights.
In disputing the sovereignty of the islands of the Aegean Sea from Greece and Greek airspace, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt continued with his statements Cavusoglu.
Cavusoglu, in an interview with state broadcaster TRT Haber, addressed both the F-16 issue and US restrictions, as well as overflights, saying that “It is not possible to say yes to a procedure for the Greek airspace. What do you mean when you say Greek airspace? There are islands which Greece says are its own, islands and islets whose ownership status is not clear and which have not been granted by agreements”.
On the other hand, the Turkish Foreign Minister clarified that Turkey will continue to violate Greece’s airspace, as it recognizes 6 miles of airspace for Greece and not 10. Also, even if it gets US F-16s it will not obey.
“With 6 miles of territorial waters claiming 10 miles of airspace, this is inconsistent with international law. This was stated in a letter sent by the US State Department to Congress. Now Greece requires 10 miles. There is no question of not using those 4 miles. The US gives Greece defense industry materials. but they have also built bases. When you give a product (of the defense industry) to Greece, do you set a condition so that it does not violate Turkey’s airspace?”he said.
And he added: “First, there is a deviation from the balanced policy followed by the USA, both in Cyprus and between Turkey and Greece. The US must return to this balancing policy. Secondly, in the American Congress there are members of Greek origin who are active in the lobby. Mitsotakis himself in his speech pressed for the F-16s.”
Regarding relations with other states, Cavusoglu said: “We want to work with our allies in the field of defense alliance. You see how much effort we are making to lift the restrictions against Turkey. This is what we put in NATO during the process for the integration of Sweden and Finland. We have taken steps to get the F-16s from the US.”
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