There has been a bit of a back and forth between Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.
It all began with Çavuşoğlu responding to Dendias’ tweet where he provided a link to his interview with Parapolitika that was partially translated by Greek City Times.
During the interview, Dendias highlighted that the European Union was created to end wars in Europe yet it tolerates Turkey’s threat of war against Greece.
“I have stressed that the European Union is a unique structure that aims to eliminate war in Europe […] I wonder how this Union can tolerate the threat of war against its members, such as the threat of Turkey against Greece for decades with casus belli?”, he said.
“How do they justify their stance, at a time when the pillar of the North Atlantic Alliance, the US, has imposed sanctions against Turkey”, he added.
In response to this point, Çavuşoğlu went to Twitter to “offer friendly advice” for his Greek counterpart.
“Dear Niko, here’s some friendly advice for the new year- stop asking for help from others and injuring the Greek people’s dignity. May 2021 be the year when we settle our differences equitably by talking directly, sincerely, and earnestly”, he said.
Dear Niko, here's some friendly advice for the new year- stop asking for help from others and injuring the Greek people’s dignity. May 2021 be the year when we settle our differences equitably by talking directly, sincerely, and earnestly. @NikosDendias https://t.co/ui3hyO8iYi
— Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu (@MevlutCavusoglu) December 20, 2020
Çavuşoğlu received a deluge of responses from Greek Twitter that he has no right to speak on behalf of Greeks and that they are proud of Dendias’ efforts to build new alliances while simultaneously isolating Turkey.
The Greek Foreign Minister also joined the fray in a series of responses on Twitter.
“Thank you my dear friend Mevlut. As we exchange wishes and advice, may 2021 be the year of the three ‘A’s for Turkey to: 1. Abandon its threats of war against Greece should we exercise our legitimate rights. After all we live in the 21st century.
“2. Aspire to become more European. Less Neo-Ottoman. This will best serve the Turkish people.
2. Aspire to become more European. Less Neo-Ottoman. This will best serve the Turkish people. @MevlutCavusoglu
— Nikos Dendias (@NikosDendias) December 21, 2020
“3. Abstain from provocations and illegal activities
“By the way. There is one thing Mevlut you forgot to mention yet again: it’s International Law. The only basis for a constructive dialogue about our difference, my dear friend. Happy 2021!”, he said in ending his series of tweets.
By the way. There is one thing Mevlut you forgot to mention yet again: it’s International Law. The only basis for a constructive dialogue about our difference, my dear friend. Happy 2021! @MevlutCavusoglu
— Nikos Dendias (@NikosDendias) December 21, 2020