Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has called on Greece to exercise caution in actions that might escalate tensions in the region, expressing particular concern over Athens’ expanding defense collaboration with Israel. Fidan emphasized Türkiye’s desire to maintain amicable relations with Greece but underscored the expectation that Greece considers Türkiye’s security concerns.
Fidan’s remarks spotlighted Greece’s military cooperation with Israel and the deployment of military resources on Aegean islands, which Türkiye argues should be demilitarized according to existing agreements. Despite efforts in recent years to ameliorate bilateral relations, Greece and Türkiye continue to face unresolved issues over maritime boundaries and the military status of these islands. Greece defends its military stance as necessary for national security and the protection of its sovereignty.
In addition to addressing Greek-Israeli defense ties, Fidan criticized Israeli actions in Syria, labeling them as potential destabilizers for the region. He reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for Syria’s attempts to regain stability, governance, and economic progress and advocated for diplomatic solutions to regional disputes.
Fidan also highlighted ongoing discussions on regional security cooperation among Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. He noted that these countries are actively working to formalize a security partnership and are exploring ways to broaden collaborative efforts. The minister assured continued Turkish backing for regional security coordination, particularly in dealing with developments in Yemen and threats faced by Saudi Arabia, while reiterating the importance of diplomacy and stability in the area.