Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler raised the "Blue Homeland" doctrine even though the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that "it was emphasised to the Greek side that statements and actions that could create tension should be avoided."
Güler stated that "we defend the rights of the Blue Homeland" and that with the project for the Turkish-made KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet advancing, "the way is opened to move towards new goals."
"The Turkish Armed Forces, which have been equipped with domestic and national weapon systems, are successfully performing the tasks of defending the borders up to and including fighting terrorism, from defending its rights and interests in the Blue Homeland," said Güler.
The minister added that the KAAN fighter jet took its first flight on February 21.
"Our country has become one of the few that can design and manufacture a 5th-generation fighter jet. We have moved up a notch in the defence industry. Thus, the way has been opened to move towards new goals," the Turkish minister added.
The announcement of the Turkish Foreign Ministry
At the same time, a statement issued on Wednesday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey and its representative, Öncü Keçeli, mentioned the visit of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexandra Papadopoulou, and Kyriakos Mitsotakis's trip to Ankara in May.
It Turkish Foreign Ministry announced that "Aegean issues were discussed with Greece," without any further explanations.
"They discussed issues such as the planning of high-level contacts and visits, Aegean issues, the situation of minorities, consular relations, irregular immigration and cooperation in the fight against terrorism, mutual protection of cultural heritage and cooperation in the international candidacies of the two countries," Keçeli said.
"It was emphasised on the Greek side that statements and actions that could create tension should be avoided, in accordance with the 'Athens Declaration on Friendly Relations and Good-Neighbourliness' signed by the leaders of the two countries during the Supreme Cooperation Council (ASS) that took place in Athens last December," the spokesman added.
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