Ankara insists on inflammatory rhetoric Turk defense minister Hulusi Akar seize power by threatening Greece.

Just hours after Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addressed the UN General Assembly and sent a message to the citizens of Turkey, Hulusi Akar spoke of the “right to self-defence”, once again questioning the sovereignty of the Greek islands.

Speaking to Hurriyet newspaper and asked about Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos’ visit to Kastellorizo, Khulusi Acar said that “seeing their defiant attitude lately, we thought they forgot to swim. If they go with that mindset, being able to swim will come in handy.”

He also accused Greece of “militarizing the islands with a demilitarized status in violation of treaties.” “This situation gives us the right to self-defense and calls into question the sovereignty of the islands. When we say this, they make a fuss that we threaten their sovereignty,” he added.

“Despite our good intentions, some Greek politicians continue with provocative actions and rhetoric. They resort to various means to defame Turkey. They become ridiculous from groundless slander, not explained by logic and justice,” he said further and added: “While we insistently invite them to a meeting to solve problems, they stubbornly avoid dialogue. And they behave this way, and they lie that Turkey is the side that avoids dialogue. They constantly complain about Turkey to third parties such as NATO, the EU, etc. and the US for problems that we can resolve between ourselves. They are trying to turn our bilateral problems into a Turkey-NATO, Turkey-EU problem. or Turkey-USA.

The Turkish Defense Minister accused Greece of “trying to mislead international public opinion with unrealistic statements about Turkey in all relevant and unrelated circumstances.” In doing so, he demonstrates an unethical and undiplomatic stance.” He stated that “those who want 40,000 square kilometers of jurisdiction over Kastelorizo ​​are themselves making vain attempts to arm themselves with a false perception of the threat. It is they who have committed more than a thousand violations and harassment since January 1. They do it and then they call us expansionists and aggressive. Mercy. Either they do not have a mirror at home, or they are afraid to look into it. If they look, they will see their true face, maybe they will be ashamed.”

Hulusi Akar insisted that “Turkey is not a threat. Turkey is a strong, reliable and effective ally. Our goal is for the Aegean to be a sea of ​​peace and friendship for peace and stability and a fair distribution of all wealth. However, we have given the necessary response to all sorts of dishonest and illegal attacks on the field and at the table and will continue to do so in the future. Let them know it.”

“It must not be forgotten how serious were the consequences of the adventure that began a century ago with reliance on others, that this invasion attempt was not accepted even by the Greek people and that even the three prime ministers, two ministers and their commander-in-chief, responsible for this invasion attempt, were sentenced to death. We need to learn from history. (Someone) must hold the hand of friendship that we patiently offer,” he continued.

F-16 problem

On the issue of the F-16s that Ankara wants to buy, he said that “a conditional sale cannot be accepted.” “Additions that condition the sale of the F-16 are unacceptable. There should be no conditions that bind our hands. The United States must take an institutional position,” he stressed.

“The Ukrainian crisis has once again shown that a strong Turkey is essential for Europe, regional stability and security, and NATO. Blind eyes have seen it and deaf ears have heard it,” he continued and concluded: “Our priority is the purchase and modernization of the F-16 aircraft that we have in service and which we use effectively. Our plans in this direction. But, of course, we also have alternative solutions.”

Anadolu for Mitsotakis

Meanwhile, the Turkish Anadolu agency refers to the post of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Turkish about the relations between the two countries.

Her iki tarpada da büyük çoğluş, ne ışığızlık ne de ışığıyı ister. Together, with mutual respect and cooperation and within the framework of international law, we will take the next step.

— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) September 23, 2022

“Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said and reported that “Greece does not threaten Turkey. We are not enemies. We are neighbors and attach great importance to friendly relations between us,” Anadolu said, referring to the Prime Minister’s speech at the UN General Assembly.