The majority of Greeks are in favour of a military response to Turkey in case they violate Greece’s sovereign rights, according to an Interview poll presented by in.gr and conducted for Vergina Television.
According to the results of the poll, 56% of respondents want a military response from Greece if Turkey violates Greece’s maritime space or land, against 40% who prefer the diplomatic route.
Also, 53% of respondents agree that there should be an unanimous decision of all 300 members of parliament for a conflict with Turkey, if it implements its announcements.
At the same time, the vast majority of citizens are in favour of the construction of a border fence in Evros (83.0%).
The survey was conducted between June 4 and 9, 2020, with a sample of 1,100 people, aged 17+, with a margin of error of +/- 3% and a confidence interval of 95%.
Turkish Energy Minister Fatih Dönmez announced earlier this month that a drilling vessel of the Turkish Petroleum Corporation will start oil exploration operations to the immediate south of the Greek island of Crete “within three to four months.”
This prompted a flurry of responses from Athens, with Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas saying “we are not afraid. We are getting prepared for any possibility;” Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos saying “We do not want to go there, but we want to make it clear that we will do whatever it takes to defend our sovereign rights to the fullest extent possible;” and, General Konstantinos Floros saying that “the Greek Armed Forces are ready to fulfil their duty and carry out their mission of the Constitution from Evros to Kastellorizo if and when required.”
It also comes as in the past year Turkey has increased its threats of invading the rest of Cyprus and the Eastern Aegean islands, in a drive of territorial expansion like they have done in areas of northern Syria.
