Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said on Friday that Greece does not threaten its neighbors but is determined to defend its sovereignty and sovereign rights, responding to allegations made a day earlier by Turkey’s Defense Ministry.
“Our country threatens no one,” Dendias said during a visit to a mechanized infantry brigade camp on the eastern Aegean island of Samos. “Greece has not expressed revisionist rhetoric, nor has it made any territorial or other claims against another country, let alone issued threats of war.”
He added, however, that Greece was fully committed to defending its sovereignty and sovereign rights, calling it a constitutional duty of the armed forces and of Greek citizens.
“Greece sends a message of national self-confidence, based on its history and traditions, and as a duty to future generations,” Dendias said.
His comments followed a statement on Thursday by Turkey’s Defense Ministry regarding the recent Israel-Greece-Cyprus initiative. The ministry said Turkey supported constructive dialogue in the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean within the NATO alliance, but warned that “steps contradicting the spirit of the alliance would not change realities on the ground.”
Ankara accused what it described as unilateral actions aimed at creating “fait accompli” situations of escalating tensions in the region, while saying it sought cooperation and stability rather than conflict.
On alleged violations of Greek airspace, Turkey said such claims were based on what it called inconsistencies in Greece’s approach to territorial waters and airspace, which it described as “historically unprecedented.” It said Turkish flights in the Aegean were conducted in international airspace.
Turkey said it aimed to resolve all issues with Greece through peaceful means, dialogue and negotiation, in line with international law and good neighborly relations.