In an unprecedented dangerous escalation in Greek-Turkish relations - after the direct attack on the Greek Prime Minister - Recep Tayyip Erdogan proceeded.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis' visit to the US, where he raised the issue of Turkish provocativeness before Joe Biden, among others, put the Turkish president in an awkward position and in the absence of arguments, he followed an extreme rhetoric by targeting the prime minister himself.
Greece's willingness to buy the F-35 from the US has given Ankara a headache at a time when it is trying to secure a preferential price for the purchase of F-16s.
Erdogan's decision to attack the Greek prime minister in unprecedented terms, saying among other things that "there is no Mitsotakis for me anymore", essentially closes all channels of communication with Greece, at least at the highest level, a development that carries many risks for the next day.
At the same time, Turkish provocations are spreading to other levels as it seems that Ankara once again wants to use the refugees by pushing them towards the Greek border.
The Turks are... having fun
Meanwhile, a short time after Erdogan's extreme statements, Turkey moved on to new provocations, this time choosing to violate national airspace with fighter jets.
Specifically, two Turkish F-16 fighter jets flew in formation late Monday afternoon in the northeastern Aegean Sea, bringing to 41 the number of violations of national airspace on Monday and 5 the number of violations of air traffic rules in the Athens FIR.
Greek authorities had recorded until the early afternoon hours flights in the Northeast, Central and Southeast Aegean Sea of one UAV, two CN-235 spy planes, and one ATR-72 naval cooperation aircraft.
These Turkish aircraft made 40 violations of national airspace (6 by the UAV and 34 by the CN-235) and 4 violations of air traffic rules in the Athens FIR.
Athens' first reaction to Erdogan's provocations
Athens, however, reacted calmly to Erdogan's extreme provocations, choosing to keep a low profile and present the country's arguments.
"Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis strongly and effectively defends both our national rights and international legitimacy.
Greek foreign policy is strongly based on history, international law and our alliances, no matter how much this annoys some.
We will not enter into a confrontation of statements with the leadership of Turkey. Our policy is a policy of principles," government spokesman Yannis Economou said.
Crescendo of defiance
The Turkish president's statements yesterday came after his remarks on the neighboring country's defense industry and the submarines being prepared.
"The evil neighbor has made us the owner of a defense industry," Recep Tayyip Erdogan said specifically, referring to Greece and Cyprus, while saying that "we have never forgotten the unjust sanctions imposed on our country because of the peacekeeping operation in Cyprus."
More specifically, speaking at the launching ceremony of the submarine Hızırreis at Istanbul's Gkoltsuk shipyard, the Turkish president said that its technical characteristics are impressive and that it can remain underwater for 3 days and even 12 weeks at sea without refueling.
He said the Hızırreis will be commissioned in 2023, while the Selmanreis submarine will also be commissioned in 2027. He also said that a submarine will enter naval service from this year and that by 2027 the Turkish Navy will have 6 new type of submarines.
The Turkish president said "we have implemented many projects that will make our navy stronger and more deterrent for the security of the Blue Homeland."
Erdogan stressed that "despite the betrayal of countries we considered friendly countries and the games of allies, we have achieved this." "We never forgot the unjust sanctions imposed on our country because of the peace operation in Cyprus," he said."
Source: in.gr
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