Nikos Panagiotopoulos
Relations between the two NATO members have been poor for centuries following several major wars, as well as tensions over Cyprus, repeated military confrontations in the Aegean Sea, and concerns by Athens that Ankara is deliberately "threatening Europe" with an influx of Middle Eastern refugees.
Greece is ready to defend itself against Turkey by any means necessary, Greek Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos has announced, accusing Ankara of "aggressive" behaviour.
"Of course Turkey's stance has recently been rather aggressive. I believe that the only way Greece can deal with it is, on one hand, to exhaust all its diplomatic weapons, and on the other, to cater for the increase of the deterrence power of the Armed Forces," Panagiotopoulos
said, speaking Greece's Star TV on Thursday, referring to the ongoing diplomatic dispute over drilling rights in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Asked whether Greek efforts include preparations for a military conflict, the defence minister recalled that the national security advisor to the prime minister has recently indicated that
Greece is "preparing for all eventualities," including "military engagement.""We do not want this to happen. However, we are making it clear toward all directions that
we will do what it takes to defend our sovereign rights to the greatest extent, if you catch my drift," Panagiotopoulos warned.
Comment: John Helmer on Turkey's allying with the illegitimate Libyan 'government' (composed of terrorists and other lowlifes):