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In a road race with a double objective, on the one hand the de-escalation of the tension in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, and on the other hand the acceleration of the procedures to strengthen the Armed Forces, the Greek government has committed itself to the last twenty-four hours.
Given vital French support for the Turkish aggression, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is betting heavily on his meeting with Emanuel Macron in Paris on September 10, ahead of the French president’s summit in southern Corsica.
At this meeting, the two leaders are expected to discuss the whole framework of the joint position of Greece and France against Turkey, given that Recep Tayyip Erdogan is now openly attacking Paris. The prime minister’s intention is to underline to Macron the need for a common line in the EU towards Turkey’s intransigent stance.
At the same time, the face-to-face discussion of the two leaders is expected to focus on the defense pact under discussion between the two countries. The behind-the-scenes consultations (advanced and high-level) have pushed the issue to the final stretch and seek to end the signatures of Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Emanuel Macron on a defense deal.
Diplomatic movements of Athens
Tomorrow, Greek Chancellor Nikos Dendias will meet Maltese Chancellor Evarist Bartolo.
Discussions are expected to focus on issues of bilateral, European and regional concern, with particular emphasis on current events in the Eastern Mediterranean region, in view of the critical debates and decisions expected in the EU. The situation in Libya and migration will also be discussed. according to a relevant announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
At the end of the talks, a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs for cooperation in the field of diplomatic education. 
New Dendia – NATO contact for Greek positions – Charles Michel in Athens
The Greek government is expected to make corrective suggestions on NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s proposals for a Greek-Turkish dialogue at the meeting of NATO Permanent Representatives on Wednesday in Brussels.
There, the Greek side will present the proposed amendments to the Stoltenberg proposals.
Meanwhile, the NATO secretary general is expected to have new phone contacts with both the Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and his Turkish counterpart Melvut Tsavousoglou.
In addition, Charles Michel will initiate a series of visits to European capitals in the eastern Mediterranean, as part of the Summit on September 24. The president of the European Council will initiate contacts in Athens, Cyprus and possibly Ankara next week to advance his proposal for a multilateral conference on the situation on the eastern borders of Europe.
Michel wants to avoid blocking the debate and that is why he wants to put Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, but also Germany and France on the table to promote dialogue and avoid sanctions in Turkey. 
Calm and determination
Looking ahead to the summit to be held in late September, where the EU has threatened to impose sanctions on Ankara if it does not reduce tensions, Athens is sending a clear message to various diplomatic contacts and security measures. .
The Greek attitude is guided by the diptych: composure and determination, at a time when Turkish provocations are on the rise. The latest example of Ankara’s tactics is today’s provocative post from the Turkish Defense Ministry, which shows Oruc Reis sailing on the Greek mainland, stating: “The frigates and corvettes belonging to our Naval Forces continue to follow research vessel Oruts Reyes, who continues to operate in our jurisdictions in the Eastern Mediterranean: “Anarchy or intimidation will not be allowed in the area!”
Strong, stable and powerful!
The frigates and corvettes of our Naval Forces resolutely continue their mission to escort / protect the research vessel ORUÇREİS, which continues to work in the areas of our jurisdiction in the Eastern Mediterranean. Anarchy and intimidation will not be allowed in the region! pic.twitter.com/ZYmxSpvr55
– Turkish Ministry of National Defense (@tcsav Savunma) September 6, 2020
“No threat scares us”
“We hope it will never be necessary, but we will defend our sovereign rights. We are not intimidated by any threat” was the Greek response from government spokesman Stelios Petsas, who stressed that Ankara’s provocative actions go beyond what we are used to for decades.
Petsas also referred to the Turkish posts yesterday about the Turkish troop movement in Andrianoupolis, speaking of internal propaganda.
Deputy Minister of Immigration and Asylum George Koumoutsakos advanced in the same direction, estimating that until the Summit on September 24, where sanctions will be discussed, Turkey will intensify its pressure on Greece with the lever of immigration.
“We are ready to respond,” emphasized Mr. Koumoutsakos, saying that the surveillance of the Greek border has been strengthened with two EKAM teams, while according to the cabinet’s decision there will be expansion and strengthening of the fence.
Referring to the ongoing Turkish provocations on the islands, the latest example being the 4 Turkish trawlers that reached a distance of 600 meters from Kalymnos, the minister also seemed reassuring, saying that “flows are decreasing” and that the islands will be strengthened with 500 border guards. 
What is Erdogan looking for?
The doctor of geopolitics and professor of geostrategy, George Filis, analyzed the aspirations of Turkey to the detriment of Greece and the region in general, as well as how Athens should react.
According to Filis, Erdogan wants to create an empire that will extend to the central Mediterranean.
“The problem with Greece is the middle ground to achieve its objective. It wants to make Greece a satellite country to expand to the rest of the Mediterranean. Its movements are regular,” he said, characterizing a successful phrase by the Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, who had said that “Turkey wants to make Greece an island in an Ottoman lake”.
“They consider us a state of reduced sovereignty, when they tell us that the PD cannot go to Kastelorizo or when they say that we cannot sign a contract with Egypt,” he stressed, adding that “the dispute between Greece and Turkey will not be avoided. “.
As he stated, Erdogan has educated the Turkish people “that Greece has occupied islands and that we are pirates in the eastern Mediterranean.” Phillies believes that a critical factor in the matter is the European Union, which “if it wants to, can bring Turkey to its knees with its sanctions.”
The border guards are determined
As Turkey tries to impress with the transfer of tanks near Andrianoupolis, the president of the Evros border guards sent his own message, noting that “Evros remained standing in March and will remain upright in these flows as well.”
“There is a lot of pressure on our services, but we do not have the March invasion in any case,” said Chrysovalantis Gialamas ar / s Thema.
As he pointed out, “we are waiting for the new fence, the thermal cameras and with the new border guards the border surveillance will be better.”
“Together with us, the elderly who turn 22 in the first security line of the country, the new children that we see wanting to work, I think things are going to be better,” he added.
He also stressed that “the morale of the people of Evros was and is high.” They gave us so much strength in March to maintain the invasion and the propaganda war of Turkey. “
United Arab Emirates: concern over Turkish expansion
The UAE’s concern about Turkish expansion and the consequences of the protracted war in Libya, was expressed by the Plenipotentiary of the UAE Embassy in Athens, Ayman El Zeiudi, in his exclusive statements to NEWS.
The Emirates, actively participating in the events in the southeastern Mediterranean, recently normalized their diplomatic relations with Israel in a historic agreement that changes the map of the Middle East. 
“Greece and the United Arab Emirates share a great interest in stability and security in the Mediterranean basin,” El Zejudi said. “Both countries are concerned about the Turkish expansion and the consequences of the widespread war in Libya. The recent joint Greek-Emirati exercises in Crete are an example of military cooperation. In the cultural and scientific field, the two countries maintain active ties, which are highlighted at this year’s online “UAE-Greece Strategic Forum” in July. The results of some of the collaborations in the field of agriculture, technology and education will be presented at the Dubai Expo2020 exhibition (to be held in 2021) “.
Regarding the agreement with Israel, he affirms that “it is a step towards a more stable and prosperous region, from which we all benefit. By disrupting Israel’s annexation plans, we kept alive the prospect of a two-state solution. The UAE has a long-standing commitment to supporting the Palestinian people. “We cannot realize the aspirations of the Palestinians, but we believe that this agreement is a very positive step, which provides the space and time to build a fair agreement.”
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