Turkey's Defense Minister Threatens Greece

Ankara will not allow Greece to expand its territorial waters in the Aegean Sea from the current 6 miles. This warning was issued to Athens by Turkey's National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, as reported by Anadolu Agency.

He also urged the Greek government to refrain from 'miscalculations' and to avoid seeking new escalation in the region. 'Athens should remember the lessons of history. Turkey does not yield to Greek provocations, but at the same time does not allow conditions that infringe on Turkish rights to be created in the region,' he stated.

The head of Turkey's defense agency emphasized that Greece should not rely on the support of third parties in its anti-Turkish plans. He reiterated that Turkey will not accept Greece's extension of its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles. 'Only 6 miles,' he declared.

Earlier, Greek government spokesperson Yannis Ikonomou stated that Athens will not relinquish its sovereign rights in the Aegean Sea. On December 30, Greece's National Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos stated that NATO should be concerned about Turkey's military threats against Greece, considering Athens' legitimate right to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles.