Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the former Greek Prime Minister and current candidate in the upcoming elections, firmly rejected discussing with Türkiye the demilitarized status of Aegean islands armed by Athens. However, he emphasized that there is no inherent reason for the two neighbouring countries to be enemies and expressed a message of friendship towards Türkiye, focusing on resolving the issue of delimitation of maritime zones.
During a campaign stop on Leros, a Dodecanese island, the former Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis stated, "We are not doomed to be enemies with Türkiye."
He further addressed the matter of Greece's militarization of the Aegean islands, effectively dismissing it as a contentious issue, and instead highlighted the need to focus on maritime zone delimitation. Mitsotakis, who served as prime minister from 2019 until recently, is a leading contender in the elections scheduled for June 25, with a caretaker premier currently in office until the polls.
Tensions have escalated in recent months as Türkiye has voiced increasing criticism of Greece's deployment of troops on islands in the eastern Aegean, which it says are supposed to be demilitarized according to the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne and the 1947 Treaty of Paris.
Mitsotakis also emphasized that Greece will continue to strengthen its military capabilities, dispelling any illusions in this regard. Under his leadership, Greece has recently signed significant arms deals, including procuring drones and missiles from Israel, Rafale jets from France, and upgrades to its F-16 fleet from the United States. Furthermore, Greece has expressed interest in purchasing at least 20 F-35 stealth fighter jets from the United States, updating its Leopard 2 tank fleet, and acquiring Lynx armoured vehicles from Germany.
Türkiye has raised concerns about Greece's provocative actions and rhetoric in the region, particularly the arming of islands near the Turkish coast that are demilitarized under treaties. Türkiye argues that such actions undermine its sincere efforts for peace. On the other hand, Athens asserts that the islands, which are within striking distance of a large Turkish landing fleet, cannot be left undefended.
