OUR Recep Tayyip Erdoganin the context of the constant rhetorical escalation and high-pitched voices against Greece, is no longer overlooked more and more openly to include the Americans first, and the “Europeans” second, as alleged factors inciting the Greeks to “aggression” against Turkey. Although Mr. Erdogan’s statements are not accidental, but based on part of the popular imagination in Turkey, according to which Hellas is the “long arm” of the West against the prospects of turning the country into a regional superpower, recent events suggest that there is now annoyance in Ankara about the position Washington. That attitude was on display last week in New York, where, despite a campaign of charm inside and outside the UN building, Erdogan failed to achieve even four or four with US President Joe Biden, and instead was forced to start – albeit belatedly – gradual observance of the sanctions regime against Russia.

In addition, the presentation by the Turks as a “provocation” of M-1117 armored vehicles in Alexandroupolis, and then on the eastern islands of the Aegean Sea, that is, from the port in which the United States invests financial, political and military funds for a number of reasons, including to have alternatives in case the Bosporus remains closed to the US Navy, in some ways signaling Mr. Erdogan’s readiness for further escalation. The establishment in Ankara (whatever that word currently means inside Turkey) is certainly concerned about initiatives such as the trip of Deputy Minister of National Defense Nikos Hardalia to the eastern Aegean or the Greco-French exercises that are taking place these days in the northern and central part of the archipelago, but the Turkish president himself sets the tone, and the rest follow him.

They reject Turkey’s claims and call on it to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Greece.

However, Erdogan’s aggressive statements are consistently rejected by both Washington and Brussels. Already in a written statement from a State Department spokesman, it was emphasized that “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected and protected. Greek sovereignty over these islands is not disputed. We call on all parties to refrain from rhetoric and actions that could further escalate tensions.”

Later, with a clear message, the commission’s spokesman in charge of foreign affairs, Peter Stano, urged Turkey to “respect the sovereignty of EU member states.” and pledge to resolve all open issues in a spirit of good neighborliness with full respect for international law.” Mr. Stano asked Turkey to stop the threatening rhetoric, while saying that “recent actions, provocations, rhetoric are in the opposite direction of the much needed de-escalation.”

Naming new frigates

During yesterday’s meeting, the Supreme Naval Council (ANS) decided to name “Kimon”, “Nearchos” and “Formion” three FDI frigates under construction in Lorient, France on behalf of the Navy. The frigates are named in order of acquisition and refer to the three Adams-class ships of the same name (out of four) decommissioned 20 years ago. According to the plan that still exists, the Kimon and Nearchos frigates will be commissioned in 2025, and Formion in 2026.