Greece hits back at Türkiye over island demilitarization claims

Greece’s foreign ministry has again flatly rejected renewed Turkish claims concerning the defense of Greek islands, dismissing allegations that Greece is being "used" to destabilize the region and pointing to Ankara’s continuing threat of war, or casus belli, should Athens exercise what the latter directly points to as a lawful sovereign right.

Responding to a reporter's question about remarks made by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Tuesday, spokesperson Panagiotis Giannakoulias stressed that Greece formulates its foreign policy “ independently” and is not guided by others, CE Report quotes ANA-MPA.

He firmly rejected allegations that Greece was being used to destabilize the region, saying they had "no basis in reality." Greece, he stressed, had demonstrated through its actions that it consistently works for regional and international peace and stability and poses no threat to anyone.

Giannakoulias also addressed the defense of the islands, making clear that Greece, like any other country, safeguards the defense and security of its entire territory.

In this context, he again rejected Türkiye’s demands for demilitarization, saying Ankara’s “ repeated unilateral claims” concerning the Greek islands of the Aegean had no basis in international law and had repeatedly been rejected in their entirety by Greece.

The spokesperson added that the status of the Greek islands in the eastern Aegean was clearly established by international treaties in force. He stressed that Greece, as a sovereign state, was entitled to take all necessary measures to defend its territory.

Athens also countered Türkiye’s description of Greece’s defensive measures as a “ threat” by pointing directly to the casus belli that remains in force.

"Describing the strengthening of the defenses of Greek territory as a ‘threat’ is not only unfounded but also paradoxical, when Türkiye continues, in violation of international law, to maintain a threat of war (casus belli) against Greece should it exercise a lawful sovereign right," he said.

The foreign ministry made clear that Athens continued to seek dialogue and good-neighborly relations with Türkiye, while stressing that respect for international law was an essential prerequisite.

"Greece remains committed to good-neighborly relations and dialogue, which, however, require full respect for international law and refraining from threats and unfounded claims," the spokesperson concluded.

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