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Greece is assembling its own army amid growing tensions with Turkey. As Prime Minister Mitsotakis announced, the country wants to buy several fighter jets and frigates.
Amid tensions with Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean, Greece has announced the purchase of weapons and an increase in the armed forces. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said his country would order frigates and helicopters, in addition to 18 French Rafale fighter jets. In addition, 15,000 new soldiers must be hired and the national defense industry strengthened.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned against “messing with the Turkish people.” Mitsotakis said Turkey was “threatening” Europe’s eastern border and “undermining” regional security. The weapons initiative should also create thousands of jobs. More details will be announced today at a press conference, he said from government circles.
Dispute over gas reserves in the Mediterranean
Since the discovery of rich gas deposits in the eastern Mediterranean, Ankara has been fighting for their exploitation with Greece and Cyprus. NATO partners Turkey and Greece have reinforced their claim by sending warships. France has increased its naval presence in the eastern Mediterranean in support of Greece.
French Defense Minister Florence Parly welcomed Greece’s arms purchase. It is the first time that a European country has bought the Rafale fighter jets.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Erdogan has again issued warnings to France. Macron should not “mess with” Turkey, Erdogan said in a televised speech in Istanbul. Macron asked Ankara on Thursday not to cross the “red lines” in the conflict in the eastern Mediterranean. Erdogan also urged Greece to “stay away from wrongdoing.”
The United States also warns Turkey
During the talks in Cyprus, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on Turkey to suspend its activities in the eastern Mediterranean. “We remain deeply concerned about Turkey’s ongoing natural resource exploration operations in areas over which Greece and Cyprus claim jurisdiction,” Pompeo said after meeting with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Exteriors, Nicos Christodoulides. . “The intense military tensions are helping no one but the opponents who want a split in the transatlantic unit,” Pompeo said. He called on all parties to seek diplomatic solutions.
