Greece undermines NATO alliance: Turkish defense chief

Despite Greek provocations, Turkiye wants peaceful solution to issues, says National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar

Politics 11:30 09.01.2022
Greece has undermined NATO by attempting to form alliances against Turkiye within the bloc, the Turkish national defense minister said on Saturday.
 
Addressing a news conference in the capital Ankara, Hulusi Akar said Athens was pursuing expansionist policies in the region, violating international law.
 
Akar said the two countries were at odds on a number of issues, including Greece's aggressive armament policy, its arming of non-militarized islands in the Aegean Sea, policy of suppression of its Turkish minority, and unfounded claims in the Eastern Mediterranean violating the rights of Turkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
 
Disputes on maritime delimitation, air space and flight information, were also among the major issues between Ankara and Athens, he said.
 
"Despite all these problems and provocations we urge them to negotiate. We want negotiated solutions based on good neighborly relations," Akar underlined.
 
He also slammed aerial and maritime violations by Greece, as well as provocative statements by Greek politicians against Turkiye.
 
On Greece's arms purchases and maximalist claims, Akar said Athens was punching above its weight.
 
Turkey, which has the longest continental coastline in the Eastern Mediterranean, has rejected the maritime boundary claims of Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration, stressing that the excessive claims violate the sovereign rights of both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots.
 
Akar further criticized Greece's policy to push back asylum seekers trying to reach its shores via the Aegean Sea, reiterating that these actions were a gross violation of international law, as well as basic human rights.
 
He also maintained that Athens was using its EU membership as a tool and that the bloc overlooks Greece's illegal and illegitimate claims.
 
Turkiye remains resolute in protecting its interests and rights, as well as those of Turkish Cypriots, Akar added.
 
Among other things, the Turkish defense chief also spoke on ties with the US, stressing that the process was underway on Turkiye's request for modernization kits for 80 of its F-16 aircraft, as well as to add 40 more F-16 Block 70 Vipers to its inventory.
 
Maintaining that some NATO members had imposed open or covert arms embargos or measures to delay arms transfers to the country, Akar warned that such policies and practices would harm NATO's capabilities and deterrence.
Insights from Ex-U.S. Ambassador: Georgia Crisis, Peace Talks, & COP29's Global Role - VIDEO

News line

Azerbaijan’s Combined Arms Army holds seasonal maintenance of all types of weapons and equipment -VIDEO
19:25 17.05.2024
Russian army seizes 12 settlements in Kharkiv
19:01 17.05.2024
Slovak PM undergoes another surgery
18:45 17.05.2024
Azerbaijan reveals number of prevented early marriages over last year
Azerbaijan reveals number of prevented early marriages over last year
18:30 17.05.2024
Director General of UN Office expressed satisfaction with Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29
Director General of UN Office expressed satisfaction with Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29
18:10 17.05.2024
Spain, several other EU countries postpone recognition of Palestine
Spain, several other EU countries postpone recognition of Palestine
17:50 17.05.2024
Azerbaijan's Prosecutor General held bilateral meetings in Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Azerbaijan's Prosecutor General held bilateral meetings in Dushanbe, Tajikistan
17:45 17.05.2024
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan set to gain from increase in oil prices since start of 2024 -UN
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan set to gain from increase in oil prices since start of 2024 -UN
17:33 17.05.2024
Brazilian president will not attend peace summit on Ukraine
17:22 17.05.2024
Russia is not currently planning to capture Kharkiv, says Putin
17:01 17.05.2024
Zelensky signs law allowing some convicts to serve in Ukraine's army
16:33 17.05.2024
Azerbaijani MFA congratulates Norway on Constitution Day
Azerbaijani MFA congratulates Norway on Constitution Day
16:00 17.05.2024
Insights from Ex-U.S. Ambassador: Georgia Crisis, Peace Talks, & COP29's Global Role - VIDEO
15:39 17.05.2024
President Ilham Aliyev and President Aleksandr Lukashenko visited Jidir Duzu plain
14:23 17.05.2024
Presidents of Azerbaijan and Belarus visit Shusha
13:50 17.05.2024
Slovak PM Fico between life and death after shooting, Hungary PM says
13:27 17.05.2024
Houthis shoot down US MQ-9 drone
Houthis shoot down US MQ-9 drone
13:07 17.05.2024
MFA: French side must apologize for its statement regarding Azerbaijan
12:58 17.05.2024
UNRWA: 630,000 Palestinians left Rafah
12:40 17.05.2024
French police kill man trying to 'burn synagogue'
12:25 17.05.2024
Austria establishes 500M euros special fund to support investments in Ukraine
Austria establishes 500M euros special fund to support investments in Ukraine
12:12 17.05.2024
North Korea launces ballistic missiles toward East Sea
11:50 17.05.2024
Belarusian President pays a visit to Azerbaijan's Fuzuli - PHOTOS
11:35 17.05.2024
Mukhtar Babayev: Climate change is among global concerns
11:22 17.05.2024
Speakers of the Azerbaijani and Armenian parliaments met in Geneva
11:00 17.05.2024
Azerbaijan's embassy in Iran relocated to new venue
10:14 17.05.2024
FIFA to seek legal advice on Palestinian proposal to suspend Israel from international soccer
FIFA to seek legal advice on Palestinian proposal to suspend Israel from international soccer
10:00 17.05.2024
Yashar Aliyev presents invitation letter to COP29 addressed to President of Nauru
09:43 17.05.2024
Solar storm reaches depths of Earth's oceans
Solar storm reaches depths of Earth's oceans
09:17 17.05.2024
US under secretary of state discusses shared priorities and COP29 with Hikmat Hajiyev
09:02 17.05.2024
State reception on behalf of President Ilham Aliyev was hosted in honor of President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko at Gulustan Palace
22:20 16.05.2024
ECB warns Europe of negative risks due to high public debt
21:27 16.05.2024
France to send another 1,000 gendarmes to New Caledonia
21:00 16.05.2024
Netanyahu Says Israel Can 'Win' Fight Against Hamas in Gaza Without US Help
20:26 16.05.2024
Kazakhstan and Latvia agree on developing Middle Corridor
20:00 16.05.2024
2 Hezbollah fighters killed in Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon
19:30 16.05.2024
Climate activists dye luxury stores in Rome
19:00 16.05.2024
France to send another 1,000 gendarmes to New Caledonia
France to send another 1,000 gendarmes to New Caledonia
18:55 16.05.2024
Assessing Regional Protests: Expert Weighs Impact on Azerbaijan
18:30 16.05.2024
Incomes of Azerbaijani population rise by over 4%
18:00 16.05.2024
Hamısı