In a recent statement, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan cautioned Greece against escalating its military activities on the Aegean islands, highlighting that such actions could breach international agreements. Speaking after the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, Erdoğan expressed Türkiye’s desire to maintain amicable relations with Greece. However, he urged Athens to reconsider its military deployments on these islands, which Ankara views as demilitarized based on international treaties.
Greece, on the other hand, justifies its military presence on the islands by citing security threats and asserts its right to defend its territory. The two neighboring countries have been at odds over maritime boundaries and plans for marine parks in the Aegean Sea. Erdoğan emphasized that while Türkiye has no intention of capturing another country’s land, it remains committed to safeguarding its perceived rights. He cautioned that neglecting international agreements could heighten tensions, urging Greece to reflect on historical conflicts.
During his visit, Erdoğan expressed Ankara’s intention to enhance its involvement with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization while simultaneously preserving its strong ties with Western nations. He also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss key issues such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and security in the Black Sea. Erdoğan highlighted the importance of establishing enduring security for commercial shipping, noting the increasing risks faced by Turkish vessels in the region.
Additionally, Erdoğan addressed Türkiye’s defense collaborations with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, ongoing efforts to resolve the PKK conflict, and the country’s aspirations to rejoin the US F-35 fighter jet program. He reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to advancing its domestically produced KAAN fighter aircraft amid ongoing negotiations with the United States.