While the head of the Turkish intelligence services was on a secret visit to Athens, Recep Tayyip Erdogan was publicly raising the issue of militarization of the Aegean islands again.
This simultaneous movement on two levels, one visible and the other secret, accurately describes the phase in which Greek-Turkish relations are currently located.
The Turkish president spoke during a press briefing on the presidential plane, returning from Kyrgyzstan, and called on Athens to reconsider its stance. “Greece must reverse the wrong path it has followed and stop arming the islands that have a civilian status,” he said.
At the same time, he conveyed that Ankara does not seek territorial claims, clarifying, however, that it will not tolerate a violation of its own sovereign rights. He also added that his country’s calm and constructive approach should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness , linking the developments to historical legacies. “History is a very good guide for those who draw lessons from it. We will continue to work for peace, security and stability in our region,” he emphasized.
Responding to a question about Greece’s stance, Erdogan made the standard Turkish accusation of a double standard . He said that on the one hand, Athens is sending messages of dialogue to Turkey, while on the other hand, it is increasing its military presence and capabilities on the Aegean islands.
The journalist also referred to the recent statements of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis , who, despite Turkish reactions, made it clear that Greece’s plans in the region are not going to change. “What should we do? What is our role? Let’s do what we have to. We say that we want to move forward with Greece on the basis of good neighborliness . But we have been honest on all issues. We were the side that behaved constructively. However, many times we did not see the other side respond to our good will,” he replied, reiterating Turkey’s commitment to maintaining regional stability.
Military and diplomatic circles point out that the new position comes at a particularly critical juncture . It coincides with the signing of the intergovernmental agreement between Greece and Israel for the development of the multi-level air defense system “Achilles Shield” , that is, precisely the development that Ankara is following with the greatest concern.
The NAVTEX issued by the Turkish side in the last twenty-four hours, for conducting surveys in an area south of Kastellorizo , is part of the same sequence, underlining its firm pursuits in the Eastern Mediterranean. Athens responded immediately with an anti-NAVTEX .
Despite the escalation of rhetoric, however, communication channels appear to remain active at the highest security level. On Wednesday, it was reported that the head of the Turkish intelligence services , Ibrahim Kalin, made a secret visit to Greece, with private contacts with the commander of the EYP , Themistokles Demiris .
This coexistence is, ultimately, the most characteristic element of the situation. Public rhetoric of challenge and NAVTEX in the field, and at the same time secret contacts at the highest possible level. The two sides keep the line open precisely because they know that the tension will continue.
