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Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Saturday the country would make “extensive” arms purchases and conduct a basic military review. New resources will be added and 18 French Rafale-type aircraft will be purchased. In addition, 15,000 new soldiers will be recruited.
The announcement comes after a long period of tension and mutual accusations between Mediterranean countries Turkey, Cyprus and Greece over gas demarcations and deposits.
“Don’t be a devil”
Turkey’s decision to hold military exercises this weekend comes just days after EU leaders announced that sanctions against the country could be relevant if the Turkish government refuses to enter into a dialogue with Greece and Cyprus on disputes. borderlines. Possible sanctions will be discussed at an EU summit later this month.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has raised the tone primarily against France and President Emmanuel Macron, who has been at the forefront of criticism.
– No hell with the Turkish people. Don’t fuck around with Turkey, Erdogan said in a televised speech from Istanbul on Saturday.
Scale
The move did not stop US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo from urging Turkey to suspend tensions, and asked the parties to choose the diplomatic route.
“We remain deeply concerned about Turkey’s ongoing activities to map natural resources in areas claimed by Greece and Cyprus,” he said in Nicosia on Saturday after meeting with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides. .
Tensions escalated when, on August 10, Turkey sent the research vessel Oruç Reis, escorted by warships, to the disputed area to drill for gas and oil.
Four days earlier, Greece and Egypt had signed an agreement on an economic zone at sea, which sparked burning sentiments in Turkey.
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