Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has issued a stern warning to Greece to cease its military buildup on Aegean islands, emphasizing that Turkey will not tolerate any actions it deems as breaches of international agreements. Erdoğan’s comments came following his participation in a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. He stressed Turkey’s desire for amicable relations with Greece but urged Athens to reconsider its strategy of deploying military forces on islands that Turkey views as demilitarized according to international treaties.
Greece, on the other hand, insists that its military presence is essential due to security concerns and asserts its right to defend its territory. The two nations have also been at odds over maritime boundaries and proposals for marine parks in the Aegean Sea. Erdoğan made it clear that Turkey has no intentions of annexing territory from other countries but remains committed to defending what it perceives as its own territorial rights. He cautioned that failing to adhere to international agreements could escalate tensions and advised Greece to reflect on past conflicts.
During his visit, Erdoğan also expressed Turkey’s intention to strengthen its ties with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization while maintaining robust relations with Western nations. In meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Erdoğan discussed the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and issues concerning Black Sea security. He called for initiatives to ensure lasting security for commercial shipping, highlighting the increasing risks faced by Turkish vessels in the region.
Additionally, Erdoğan engaged in discussions about Turkey’s defense collaboration with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, efforts to resolve the PKK conflict, and Ankara’s aspirations to rejoin the US F-35 fighter jet program. He mentioned that Turkey would persist in developing its domestically produced KAAN fighter jet even as dialogues with Washington continue.