Greek and Turkish Ministers Discuss Territorial Breaches in Migration Operations

Tensions are rising as Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya has voiced Ankara’s mounting concerns over recent violations by the Greek Coast Guard within Turkish territorial waters during operations targeting migrant boats.

Reports from local media have circulated footage allegedly depicting Greek Coast Guard vessels pursuing inflatable dinghies, suspected of transporting illegal migrants, near Muğla, located on Türkiye’s Mediterranean coast.

On September 23, Yerlikaya engaged in a phone conversation with Greece’s Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Minister, Christos Stylianides, to address these territorial violations.

A statement from Yerlikaya's office highlighted the minister's insistence that such breaches are unacceptable if the two countries wish to maintain friendly neighborly relations.

In response, Stylianides reiterated Athens' dedication to its bilateral relationship with Ankara and assured that actions would be taken to address the issue.

The Greek minister clarified that the recent incursions were not politically motivated and were results of real-time operational decisions by the Coast Guard.

Providing further assurances, Stylianides promised that such violations would not occur again, noting that an investigation has been initiated into the incidents from the previous week. The outcomes of this investigation will be communicated to Turkish authorities.

Türkiye’s western and southern coasts frequently serve as departure points for boats carrying refugees heading toward nearby Greek islands. The Greek island of Kos is just around 6 kilometers from where these incidents reportedly took place.