Greece is accused by Turkey of being responsible for the escalation of tension in the Aegean, in order to justify the dozens of overflights and violations of the Athens FIR.
Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanzu Bilgits claimed that the overflights were Ankara's air force's response to "provocative flights and violations" by the Greek side near the Turkish coast.
"The statements made by the Greek Foreign Ministry on April 27 regarding the events between the air forces of the two countries in the Aegean do not reflect the reality," he said.
According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman, "the Greek air force carried out provocative flights near the coast of our country between April 26-28, 2022, repeatedly violating the airspace of our country in Didymia, Dacha and the Dalaman area. Our air force responded to these provocative flights and violations in accordance with the rules of engagement."
In the same vein, it adds that "while Greece is the side that initiated and escalated the tension, accusing our country with baseless allegations has nothing to do with the recent positive agenda and good neighborly relations between the two countries."
"We expect the Greek side to put an end to its provocative actions and rhetoric and to sincerely support the process of Confidence Building Measures initiated both bilaterally and within NATO, so that such incidents are not repeated," he said.
"There is no change in Turkey's stance on the resolution of all problems in the Aegean, including the scope of airspace, within the framework of a sincere dialogue with Greece in accordance with international law," the Turkish official concluded.
Source: protothema.gr
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