The Greek Foreign Ministry responded to the extreme statements made by Turkish Vice President, Fuat Oktay, on Saturday about "12 nautical miles" where he said "If this is not a reason for war, then what is?" and that Turks "cry out" to occupy Greek islands.
The Greek Foreign Ministry, however, was quick to respond to the new threats that Turkey is openly launching. In fact, in its announcement, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated:
"Turkey's unprecedented percept that it may threaten its neighbouring countries with use of force when they exercise their legitimate rights runs counter to modern political culture and to fundamental principles of International Law.
We call upon Turkey to understand that International Law and the values upon which contemporary international order is built, are binding on all states in the world. They cannot be applied selectively, and it is the responsibility of the international community to defend them, as their violation marks grave dangers.
Turkey is bound, inter alia, by Article 2(4) of the Charter of the United Nations. If it believes otherwise, it should declare so.
In any event, we remind Turkey that the exercise by Greece of its sovereignty is not subject to any kind of Turkish veto."
Oktay referred to the delimitation agreements of the Greek Exclusive Economic Zone with Egypt and Italy.
"Greece wants to expand its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles . If this is not reason for war, then what is it?" Oktay questioned.
Oktay reiterated that Turkey would defend every cubic meter of water in the Eastern Mediterranean, adding that Turkey expects equal and fair treatment from the European Union. In fact, he sent a message to Europe saying that they should "not expect Ankara to retreat. We will not give up our rights in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean."
"Just think of Oinousses islands opposite [Turkish coastal cities] Smyrna (Σμύρνα, Turkish: İzmir) and Kyssos (Κυσσός, Turkish: Çeşme). Think about Chios Island, just one kilometre away [from the Turkish coast]. Where is Athens? Meis is just 2km from Antifellos (Αντίφελλος, Turkish: Kaş)," he said.
"Don't my citizens in Antifellos see this? Don't my citizens in Kyssos see this? Every morning when they wake up they cry their hearts out. So will the Turkish state and the nation accept this?" he pondered.
"The European Union says this, the world says that. Is this ever possible [for Turkey to accept it]? If they don't mind me saying this but we will tear this [Greek] map and tear apart those who think of this map. We will crush them when necessary," he concluded.
Turkish deputy President Fuat Oktay signals #Erdogan gov't set its eyes on taking over the #Greece islands close to #Turkey.
He pushes dangerous talking point by saying Turks cry their hearts out every morning when they wake up to the sight of Greek islands pic.twitter.com/s9HPCeld11
— Abdullah Bozkurt (@abdbozkurt) August 29, 2020
