In a recent statement, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan cautioned Greece against expanding its military presence on the Aegean islands. Erdoğan emphasized that Ankara would not accept actions it perceives as breaches of international treaties. Following his participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, he expressed Türkiye’s desire to maintain amicable relations with Greece but insisted that Athens should reconsider its policy of militarizing islands that Türkiye believes are demilitarized according to international agreements.
Greece, on the other hand, has justified its military deployments by citing security concerns and asserts its right to defend its territory. The tension between the two nations extends beyond military presence to disputes over maritime boundaries and proposals for marine parks in the Aegean Sea. Erdoğan reaffirmed that Türkiye harbors no intentions of annexing any foreign territories but remains committed to defending its perceived rights. He further cautioned that disregarding international treaties could exacerbate tensions and urged Greece to draw lessons from historical conflicts.
During the summit, Erdoğan also expressed Türkiye’s interest in strengthening ties with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization while maintaining robust relationships with Western nations. In a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Erdoğan discussed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the security situation in the Black Sea. He advocated for initiatives to ensure lasting security for commercial shipping, highlighting the growing risks faced by Turkish vessels in the area.
Additionally, Erdoğan addressed Türkiye’s defense collaborations with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, efforts to resolve the PKK conflict, and Ankara’s bid to reenter the US F-35 fighter jet program. He affirmed Türkiye’s commitment to advancing its domestic defense industry, particularly the development of the KAAN fighter jet, even as discussions with the United States continue.