The Turkish Defense Minister, Yaşar Güler, launched a verbal attack against Greece, accusing it of violating international agreements and engaging in provocative actions in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. His remarks, reported by Turkey’s ANKA agency, touched on issues ranging from territorial disputes to the role of the United States in the region.
Güler claimed that Greece violated the Bern Protocol of 1976 by conducting research activities in areas Turkey considers its potential continental shelf in the Aegean. He also emphasized that Turkish naval and coast guard forces responded promptly to Greece’s alleged unauthorized activities.
The defense minister also expressed concern over the increasing U.S. military presence in Greece, particularly in Alexandroupoli. He stated that this development directly impacts Turkey’s security policies and strategic balance in the region.
“We are closely monitoring U.S. activities in Greece and the bases they use,” Güler remarked. He accused Greece of exploiting contentious areas in the Aegean to create faits accomplis, insisting that such issues should be resolved based on international law and equality between the nations.
In the Eastern Mediterranean, Güler accused Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration of “maximalist and illegal demands” over maritime jurisdiction. He highlighted Turkey’s efforts to protect its interests through diplomatic and field initiatives. Referring to agreements signed with the pseudo-state “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (2011) and Libya (2019), as well as Turkey’s submission of its continental shelf to the UN in 2020, Güler reaffirmed Turkey’s determination to assert its rights in the region.
The day after Güler’s statements, the Turkish Parliament issued a post on its official website accusing Greece of militarizing islands in violation of international treaties.
“Kastellorizo is one of the 23 islands that should have a non-military status according to international agreements. In contrast, Greece continues to violate the status of most of these islands, contrary to the agreements it has signed.” the post read. “It is not possible for us to turn a blind eye to the militarization of these islands and the violation of their status,” it concluded.
