ATHENS
There is no reason why Greece and Türkiye must be enemies, said Greece’s former prime minister and a top contender to retake the post later this month, while dismissing any negotiations over Aegean islands which Athens militarized in violation of longstanding treaties, Greek media reported.
“We are not doomed to be enemies with Türkiye,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on a campaign stop on Leros, a Dodecanese island about 45 kilometers (28 miles) from Türkiye, a short ferry ride away.
“I am sending a message of friendship to our neighbor in order to resolve the one and only issue, which is none other than the delimitation of maritime zones,” he added, according to public broadcaster ERT – effectively ruling out the contentious issue of Greece’s illegal militarization of Aegean islands.
Mitsotakis, who was prime minister from 2019 until last month, is also the main contender for the top spot in elections set for June 25, with a caretaker premier now holding the seat until the polls.
In recent months, Türkiye has stepped up its criticism of Greece stationing troops on islands in the eastern Aegean, near the Turkish coast and often visible from shore.
These islands were required to be demilitarized under the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne and the 1947 Treaty of Paris, so any troops or weapons on the islands are strictly prohibited.
The former premier also said there will be no illusions, as “Greece will continue to strengthen its military capabilities.”
With Mitsotakis at the helm, Greece recently signed multiple major arms deals, including drones and missiles from Israel, Rafale jets from France, and upgrades to its F-16 fleet from the US.
Athens also approached Washington for the potential purchase of at least 20 F-35 stealth fighter jets, and Berlin for an update to its Leopard 2 tank fleet and purchases of Lynx armored vehicles.
