Diplomatic sources reject Turkey's accusations of allegedly harboring terrorist organizations in Greece.
As these sources noted with regard to the Turkish accusations, "we reject them in their entirety as they are unfounded and untrue."
The diplomatic sources added: "Greece fully implements the European Union's decisions on combating terrorism."
It is recalled that Ankara, yesterday, took a new provocative action, calling the Greek ambassador to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Christodoulos Lazaris, for explanations. According to the Turkish Anadolu Agency, the reason cited by Ankara was "the provision of facilities in Greece to terrorist organizations such as the PKK, FETÖ and DHKP-C, which Turkey is fighting, as well as the PKK's activities organized near the Turkish embassy in Athens."
According to Anadolu, the Turkish Foreign Ministry claimed to the Greek ambassador that the aforementioned organizations easily conduct propaganda, financing and recruitment activities in Greece and that Greece is even more seen as a safe haven for "circles linked to terrorism."
He even gave the example of the Lavrio camp, where "terrorists who threaten Turkey's security benefit from all kinds of logistical infrastructure and training facilities".
The Turks claim that the Lavrio camp has turned into a terrorist "nest", similar to the PKK camps in Iraq and Syria, while Turkey's reaction and views on the issue were conveyed to Mr Lazaris because of the action that started from that camp and developed into an open PKK demonstration near the Turkish embassy in Athens.
During the meeting, concerns were also expressed regarding the security of Turkish delegations and citizens in Greece and the Turkish side reiterated its expectations for effective cooperation in the fight against terrorism. According to Turkish media, the need for Greece to fulfil its obligations stemming from neighbourly relations and international law in the fight against terrorism was stressed.
Economou: Turkey is in a deep deadlock
[/P]Athens' first reaction came earlier today, Saturday, from government spokesman Yannis Economou. "Turkey is in a deep deadlock," he said, speaking to SKAI. He added that the accusations are completely unfounded and that the country has nothing to do with all this.
Ikonomou noted that Turkey is in a deep deadlock lately as it has met with condemnation from the entire Western world, despite the temporary faux pas of some.
"Turkey's stance reflects Erdogan's frustration and concern over Greece's upgrade and recognition of its geostrategic role." As for the islands, he stressed that Greek sovereignty is not disputed by anyone, and that anyone who makes such claims has no chance of having them accepted by third parties.
Greece faces all challenges with determination and composure, the government spokesman concluded.
Turkey's deputy foreign minister's threats of a "serious crisis"
It is noted that yesterday, Turkey had launched a new attack against Greece, issuing threats of a possible "serious crisis".
Speaking to journalists in Portugal, Deputy Foreign Minister Farouk Kaimachi issued new threats against Greece, referring to "unrealistic and maximalist claims" regarding the Cyprus problem, which "hold Turkey-EU relations hostage."
"This has to stop. We have shown too much patience and, if this situation continues, we could lead to a serious crisis."
Kaimachi: More important than any other EU membership is Turkey's accession
Kaimachi said: "As a secular country, Turkey's EU membership will be much more important and beneficial than any other membership. Because no other country can help stop radicalism in Europe and help fully integrate 25 million Muslims into the countries of the European Union. No other member can contribute to the respect of all colours and all differences within the EU, to coexistence and stability as much as Turkey."
He also said that "the greatest benefit of Turkey's accession to the EU will be that it will be a secular country with a Muslim majority," adding that Turkey's contributions to the economy, defence, security, geopolitics and other issues cannot be ignored.
Turkey can play a role in the EU's "opening" to the Middle East, says Kaimachi[BR]"In the eyes of the Muslim world, Europe is a place where accusations of imperialism, prejudice, low tolerance and sometimes racism are made. Turkey can play an important role in opening the EU to the Middle East and other cultures and in eliminating the bad image of the European Union," he said.
He added that Turkey-EU cooperation in the fields of security, defence, migration and energy cannot be strengthened because of the attitude of Greek and Greek Cypriot leaders.
"This has to end, we have shown a lot of patience and if this situation continues, it could lead to a serious crisis. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the dialogue between Turkey and the EU in the fields of energy, migration and security, considering Turkey as a country in the process of joining the Union."
Mitsotakis' strong message to Turkey: We do not open a dialogue with the illegal, the unjustifiable and the absurd
Earlier, Kyriakos Mitsotakis had sent a stern message to Turkey from the ONNED conference.
In response to the explosive escalation of inflammatory Turkish rhetoric, Kyriakos Mitsotakis noted that "the neighbors are messing with history and international law. But every rhetorical, aggressive step they take turns into another step in their own retreat to the margins and international isolation. We are living in reality and we hope that along with their name they will change their minds. But we do not open a dialogue with the illegal, the unrealistic and the absurd," he said, once again sending a clear message.
Source.gr
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