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Athens’ diplomatic counterattack to Turkish provocations is in full swing, as Turkey attempts to blackmail the developments through NATO and bring Greece into a dialogue throughout its claims to the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean.
At today’s crucial meeting of NATO in Brussels at the level of permanent representatives, the Greek request for the withdrawal of Turkish warships and Oruc Reis from the region will be discussed. Athens will raise the issue of Turkish crime, noting that political debate precedes any parameter of any “technical” discussion between Greece and Turkey, thus the terms of any “technical conversation” between the two countries have been determined.
It is observed that for the Greek side, a necessary condition for de-escalation of tension, both at the political and military level, continues to be the departure of the research vessel Oruc Reis, whose presence caused tension and the concentration of a large number of military forces in the region.
In today’s debate, Greece is expected to raise Turkey’s provocative and aggressive behavior against another NATO ally.
However, a decision should be ruled out, as unanimity is required and it is considered that a possible resolution will be blocked by the Turkish permanent representative who has the power of veto.
“The challenges stop; the discussions begin”
The debate on the issue of Oruc Reis’s departure was requested by Greece, as it was preceded by Stoltenberg’s public interventions that surprised Athens and even after the reaction of the Greek Foreign Ministry, the NATO secretary general doubled down and he did not speak of a Greek. for technical talks in the context of avoiding a conflict between Greece and Turkey, as both are members of NATO.
It has been presented at this address. technical paper (not paper) since last Thursday by the Vice President of the Military Committee to the Permanent Military Representatives (SA / SEVAS) of Greece and Turkey in order to avoid conflicts.
According to government officials, the technical document delivered by the NATO Secretariat to the two SA / SEVAS of Greece refers to preparatory ideas for the withdrawal of military forces from the region.
Government spokesman Stelios Petsas, when asked what would be the response to Stoltenberg’s text of ideas, stressed that “we must not confuse the diplomatic level and the initiatives taken at this level for de-escalation, with discussions at a technical level, which they have to do with the proposals presented by Mr Stoltenberg. They are under study and you will soon have our answer.
From there and beyond, in the context of the priority of political talks, the message from Athens is clear, as Mr Petsas expressed yesterday: “Challenges stop, discussions begin. “Threats stop, exploratory contacts begin.” 
State Department concern
Meanwhile, the State Department is deeply concerned about the ongoing US investigation in the Eastern Mediterranean, with the possibility of expanding Turkish investigations very close to the island of Kastellorizo.
“We are aware of this unconfirmed information.” As we have said before and in general, the United States is deeply concerned by Turkey’s ongoing operations to explore natural resources in areas where Greece and Cyprus claim jurisdiction in the eastern Mediterranean, “said a spokesman for the Department of State in response to a question.
At the same time, the US State Department expresses its strong support for the dialogue between Greece and Turkey, encouraging all parties to resume discussions on these issues. It is recalled that the United States has not stopped supporting the need for a de-escalation of late, and Deputy Under Secretary of State Matthew Palmer noted that neither side should seek to create achievements through a show of force.
Finally, he reiterated the firm commitment of the United States to harness the resources of the Eastern Mediterranean in a way that promotes cooperation and lays the foundation for lasting energy security and economic prosperity throughout the region.
Turks blackmail
The fact is that the initial rush of the NATO Secretary General to announce the start of a Greek-Turkish dialogue gave Ankara the alibi to try to blackmail events through NATO and drag Greece into a dialogue on the merits of its claims in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
The statements of the Turkish Foreign Minister are indicative:
“Greece has recently clarified that it is not in favor of dialogue, rejecting NATO’s reconciliation initiatives,” Tsavousoglou said.
He continued: “If Greece is confident in itself, let her sit at the dialogue table. Everyone says she is right. We also have something to say. Greece is not honest. They had no supremacy in the field and at the dialogue table, now they have lost psychological supremacy in the Eastern Mediterranean. There are many areas of controversy around the world, but these problems are being resolved. “Greece has no disposition to come closer.”
“Our exercises in the Eastern Mediterranean are carried out within the framework of NATO rules,” he said, referring to the actual fire exercises of the Turkish army in the Occupied Territories.
The Mitsotaki – Macron match
However, at a time when the Turkish Defense Ministry is leaking that technical talks will take place on Thursday, September 10, The Greek Prime Minister and the French President will have four in the context of the Euro-Mediterranean Summit of the 7 (MED-7).
In fact, this meeting between Mr. Mitsotakis and Mr. Macron takes place in the context of the scenarios for the possibility of signing a comprehensive military-military agreement between Greece and France, since the two countries bear the full brunt of the conflict and the confrontation with Turkey in the context of NATO, which Emm Macron has described as “brain dead”.
The upcoming EU Summit on September 24 and 25 is also seen as particularly crucial, as the European ultimatum to Ankara expires: “De-escalation or sanctions”.
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