President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye has issued a stern warning to Greece regarding its military activities on the Aegean islands. Speaking after the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, Erdoğan cautioned Greece against increasing its military presence on these islands, which Ankara views as demilitarized zones under international treaties. Türkiye desires amicable relations with its neighbor, he stated, but insists that Athens reconsiders its deployment strategy to avoid violating international agreements.
In response to Türkiye’s concerns, Greece maintains that its military build-up is necessary due to security threats and insists on its right to defend its territory. The ongoing tension between the two nations is further strained by disputes over maritime boundaries and proposed marine parks in the Aegean region. Erdoğan emphasized that while Türkiye harbors no aspirations to claim foreign territory, it will steadfastly protect its perceived rights. He cautioned that disregarding international accords could exacerbate tensions and urged Greece to reflect on past conflicts to avoid further escalation.
Erdoğan also expressed Türkiye’s aspiration to strengthen ties with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization while maintaining robust relations with Western countries. During his time at the summit, he held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, focusing on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the security situation in the Black Sea. Erdoğan advocated for sustainable security measures to ensure the safety of commercial shipping, highlighting the increased risks faced by Turkish vessels in the region.
The Turkish president’s engagements extended beyond regional security issues. He discussed defense collaborations with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and addressed Türkiye’s ongoing efforts to resolve the PKK conflict. Erdoğan also reiterated Türkiye’s ambition to rejoin the US F-35 fighter jet program, while simultaneously advancing the development of its indigenous KAAN fighter jet, indicating an ongoing negotiation process with Washington.