Referring to recent statements by Recep Tayyip Erdoganbut also by describing the broader context of Ankara’s movements, Athens brought the escalation of challenges to Turkey to the highest levels of the EU, NATO and the UN.

As already known, the issue was raised from the Greek side by letters from the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias Josep Borrell and Jens Stoltenberg, and from a similar letter from Greece’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Maria Theophilis.

Such as “K” recently posted, the Greek Foreign Ministry’s decision to proceed with immediate and detailed informing of all partners about threats to the country’s territorial integrity signals Athens’ decision not to allow Ankara to turn its revisionist and aggressive agenda into everyday, transient news. As noted, among other things, in the letters, the statements are “unprovoked, unacceptable and offensive to Greece and the Greek people.”

“Their openly threatening nature and tone are more than obvious, which dispels any doubts about their intended purpose, as well as any claims that they are intended only for domestic purposes in connection with the upcoming elections in the country,” emphasizes the foreign minister. and calls for their immediate condemnation by the entire international community. “Not doing this in time or underestimating the seriousness of the case, we risk once again witnessing a situation similar to the one that is unfolding today in another part of our continent. This is something that none of us would like to see,” he emphasizes.

Content of letters

I would like to draw your attention to the latest series of incendiary statements by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which read as follows:

– “[Ελλάδα], your possession of the islands does not concern us. When the time comes, we will do what is necessary. As we say, suddenly we can come one night.”

“Greece, look at history, go back to the past. If you go far enough, the price will be high. We have something to say to Greece: remember Smyrna.”

These statements were made during two recent speeches by the President of Turkey on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Greco-Turkish War of 1919-1922 in Kutahya (08/29/2022) and Samsud (03/09/2022) in front of a large audience.

In addition to what was said above, President Erdogan, speaking of the August 1922 attack, noted that the Greek people are as vile today as they were then. Referring again to the 1922 attack, he asked his audience, “Are we ready for the 2023 attack?”

These public positions of the President of Turkey speak for themselves. They are unprovoked, unacceptable and an insult to Greece and the Greek people. Their overtly threatening nature and tone is more than obvious, dispelling any doubt as to what they are up to, as well as any claims that they only have domestic goals ahead of the country’s upcoming elections. In addition, these statements exacerbate the extremely aggressive rhetoric of the President of Turkey himself, followed by other high-ranking Turkish officials, and constitute the main official position of Turkey towards my country over the past two years. This comes at a time when our bilateral relations, through no fault of Greece, are now going through one of the worst periods in recent years.

This rhetoric is accompanied by a large increase in cases of violations of the country’s sovereignty in the Aegean Sea and the Southeast Mediterranean. In fact, in recent years, Turkey has built its revisionist program through propaganda that calls into question the entire territorial status quo enshrined in treaties, endangering regional security and stability.

Also, these statements lead to even more polarization and fill the Turkish people with hatred, dislike and contempt for the Greek neighbors, further removing the prospect of rapprochement.

Last but not least, the Turkish leadership apparently preferred to present the future aggression as already prepared and, above all, as a justified action on the part of Turkey. If this issue is not considered in its true dimension, the overall position of Turkey carries the risk of destabilizing the entire region and causing consequences, the severity of which is difficult to assess.

In this highly volatile environment, we must not forget that President Erdogan made the decision a few months ago to cut off all high-level communication channels with Greece. My country, for its part, has always advocated the need for dialogue as the only solution to any dispute, especially with a neighboring country which, as everyone knows, maintains a casus belli against my country.

This is just a brief overview of the current situation in Greek-Turkish relations. I remain at your disposal for more facts and information on this subject.

The truth is that Greece is dealing with Turkey’s aggressive behavior, both in theory and in practice, which is hard to find in any other case of bilateral relations.

Turkey’s position is a destabilizing factor for the unity and cohesion of NATO, weakening the southern wing of the Alliance at a critical moment. Moreover, at this particular moment, when the Russian invasion of Ukraine is underway, serving a common goal and taking measures to realize it is more necessary than ever.

Turkey’s attitude towards Greece must be condemned by the entire international community, and NATO cannot be an exception.

If this is not done in time or if the seriousness of the problem is underestimated, we risk again witnessing a situation similar to that which is taking place in another part of our continent. This is something that none of us would really want to see.

A letter from Greece’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Maria Theophilis, which is used in conjunction with a letter to Jens Stoltenberg and Josep Borrell, adds that “Turkey’s behavior must be condemned by the international community and the United Nations.” Peoples who are the guardians of international law and peace.”