Türkiye on Wednesday reaffirmed its dedication to “peace and stability in the Aegean,” whereas decrying Greece‘s “expansionist and aggressive policies.”
“Unfortunately, our neighbor Greece continues its expansionist and aggressive policies with its provocative actions and discourse that fuels instability,” Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar stated at a press convention after a gathering together with his counterparts from Georgia and Azerbaijan.
He stated Türkiye stays open to dialogue, however won’t permit any fait accompli on points associated to Cyprus or the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean seas.
He additionally denounced the latest intervention of Greek warplanes in a NATO coaching mission over the Aegean, saying such hostile steps are proof of Athens’ conceitedness and ignorance of NATO’s primary rules.
“We expect an impartial, objective, reasonable, and logical approach from our other NATO allies, especially the US, on this matter,” he added.
Türkiye, a NATO member for over 70 years, has complained of repeated provocative actions and rhetoric by Greece within the area in latest months, together with arming islands close to Turkish shores which might be demilitarized beneath treaty obligations. It says that such strikes frustrate its good religion efforts for peace.
On the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Türkiye, Akar stated Türkiye expects “positive and concrete steps” from the US.
Ankara has hailed Washington’s latest transfer to exclude sure restrictive circumstances on the sale of F-16s from the ultimate model of the U.S. protection funds invoice.
Ankara requested F-16s and modernization kits in October 2021. The $6 billion deal would come with the sale of 40 jets, in addition to modernization kits for 79 warplanes that the Turkish Air Force already has in its stock.
