Greek Foreign Ministry rejects Turkish claims over Aegean islands, points to casus belli

The Greek Foreign Ministry on Wednesday rejected renewed Turkish claims concerning the defense of the Greek islands, stressing that Greece has the right to take the necessary measures to defend its territory.

The response came after Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described the military presence on Greek islands in the Aegean as a “threat” to Turkey and reiterated Ankara’s position that Greece should comply with what Turkey says are demilitarization obligations under international treaties.

Responding to Fidan’s remarks, Foreign Ministry spokesman Panagiotis Giannakoulias said that Greece conducts its foreign policy “sovereignly and independently” and rejected claims that the country was being used to destabilize the region.

According to Giannakoulias, Greece has demonstrated in practice that it works consistently for regional and international peace and stability and poses no threat to any country.

Turning to the defense of the Greek islands, the spokesman said that Greece, like every state, safeguards the defense and security of its entire territory.

He also rejected Turkey’s repeated claims regarding the demilitarization of Greek islands, arguing that they have…