Greece Warns Turkey, Vows Deeper Ties With Israel

Greece's Foreign Minister, Yorgos Gerapetritis, issued a strong warning to Turkey on Wednesday, stating that Greece is prepared to respond militarily to any escalation and is deepening its strategic cooperation with Israel. Gerapetritis linked Ankara's escalating rhetoric to Greece's growing military, economic, and diplomatic strength, asserting that true power lies in diplomatic reach, security resilience, and a strong economy, all areas Greece has developed significantly in recent years. He suggested that Turkey's increased tension stems from Greece's enhanced international standing and influence.

While Gerapetritis does not foresee an immediate military conflict, he emphasized that Greece has contingency plans for all scenarios and is ready to respond on the ground. He cited Greece's actions, such as advancing maritime spatial planning, establishing marine parks, strengthening its island forces, expanding territorial waters, and signing maritime border delimitation agreements, as proof of its resolve against Turkish threats. Greece maintains its right to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles in the Aegean Sea, a move Turkey has previously warned could be considered an act of war.

Gerapetritis confirmed that Greece will proceed with its underwater electricity cable project connecting Greece and Cyprus, despite Turkish objections related to maritime jurisdiction disputes. He also highlighted Greece's regional alliances, particularly its security and technological partnership with Israel, as a cornerstone of its national strength. He dismissed the idea that Turkey or any other nation could veto Greece's alliances, stating that Greece will not determine its international partnerships based on the desires of other countries.

Despite the firm stance, Gerapetritis stressed that Greece's international cooperation is defensive in nature and not aimed against Turkey. He also affirmed that Greece intends to keep communication channels with Ankara open, emphasizing the necessity of dialogue, even with historical adversaries. Gerapetritis concluded that military deterrence and political dialogue are not mutually exclusive, and closing the door to dialogue leads to war rather than peace.