After multiple days of hostilities and threats between the two countries over the Greek military build-up on the islands of Samos (1.3 km from Turkey) and Lesbos (15 km from the Turkish shore), the intention was to send a clear message to Turkey.
"(History) has shown that whoever violates borders is punished," Mitsotakis said during the news conference, without mentioning Turkey. "There is no space for imperial visions in the 21st century, and would-be local bullies have no place."
Athens claimed Turkey engaged in unlawful military exercises close to its borders in response to Ankara's allegations that Greece sent military vehicles to the Aegean islands.
Athens claimed Turkey engaged in unlawful military exercises close to its borders in response to Ankara's allegations that Greece sent military vehicles to the Aegean islands.
The Greek Prime Minister insisted that the country's boundaries are "blue and not grey" and emphasised that the government places a high premium on bolstering the armed forces.
Over maritime boundaries in the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean seas, Greece and Turkey have been at odds for many years.
After a brief respite in March, the two neighbours' tension has progressively increased for several months.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey, charged Greece with "occupying" the Aegean islands in the middle of September.
Even though these islands are on Greek territory, Athens is prohibited from stationing troops there by international law.
Greece was warned by the Turkish leader, who claimed that the army could "arrive overnight" and "do whatever is necessary" to uphold this status.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis responded by stating that his nation was prepared to deal with any challenge to its sovereignty.
Turkey is the only country that refers to and demands the demilitarisation of the eastern Aegean islands.