International Greek-Turkish Tensions On The Rise: World Reacts to Turkey Reconverting Hagia Sophia into a mosque

[EL CORINTHIAN]

So it seems that the Greek-Turkish migrant/border dispute has been brought back to life as restrictions are being eased and migrants are wanting to travel west towards Europe. Now complete with threats referencing the 1967 invasion of Cyprus as a "lesson" Greece should have learned a Turkish ambassador said in an interview that Greece could expect a reaction from Turkey should they build a border wall.

A Turkish official said that his country will react if Greece builds a border wall.

Egemen Bağış, Turkish Ambassador to Prague and former Minister of EU Affairs, made the threats on Turkish state-run propaganda outlet TRT World.

He acknowledged that Greece is able to build a wall wherever it wants within its own territory, “except for the border with Turkey because every action creates a reaction and if they don’t mind the reaction, yes, they can try.”

He then continues to explain that if Greece wants to build a wall, then it has “to be done through consultations.”

This of course is a confusing statement, as he had earlier said that Greece can do whatever it wants within its own territory.

When asked what reaction Greece could expect from Turkey, Bağış said “what happened in the Mediterranean with Cyprus should have taught them a lesson” in reference to Turkey’s 1974 invasion of northern Cyprus after it got assurances from Henry Kissinger that Greece would not retaliate.

He also added that “two sides, two neighbours, two allies, get together and first diagnosis the problem and then come up with a solution to solve that problem. We have always been very cooperative with our neighbours as long as they are willing to cooperate with us.”

Bağış’ talks of being neighbours and allies, but of course did not refer to the fact that on a near daily basis his government, and the Turkish military and media, make references to invading Greece’s eastern Aegean islands and Crete.

Nor did he mention that only days ago Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu referred to the migrant issue and argued that after the end of the pandemic, there will be another wave of illegal immigration to Greece, as reported by Greek City Times.

“There were refugees in the camps who went to the border with Greece. Due to the pandemic, this stopped. I am not saying this as a threat, but after the pandemic, the refugees will definitely want to leave and go there,” he said.

It must be remembered that in early March, Turkish military were caught attempting to pull down the border wall with Greece so they could allow tens of thousands of illegal immigrants to enter the country.

https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/05/...-border-fence-and-references-cyprus-invasion/

Turkey is baiting military intervention here but how would this actually play out?

 

[Bacco]

This guy had the correct perspective

 

[EL CORINTHIAN]

This guy had the correct perspective

LOL

 

[Oceanmachine]

Turkey is a cancer to its neighbors and to its so called "european" allies


If only this would happen

 

[Raptac]

Greeks need to man the fuck up and shoot the invaders or bend over and get fucked.

 

[Fluffernutter]

Oldest continuous sport in the world



Not so fun fact: back in the day, the olives used in the sport were from the Kirkpinar region. However, the climate has changed so much, the oil must be imported.

 

[EL CORINTHIAN]

Greeks need to man the fuck up and shoot the invaders or bend over and get fucked.

Egypt announces international anti-Turkey alliance

Turkish drilling vessel Yavuz is escorted by Turkish navy frigate TCG Gemlik (F-492) in the eastern Mediterranean Sea off Cyprus, Aug. 6, 2019. Photo by REUTERS/Murad Sezer.
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Egypt has announced an anti-Turkey alliance that includes Greece, Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and France to confront Turkish moves in Libya and the Mediterranean. The announcement was made during a virtual meeting with the foreign ministers of these countries on May 11.

In a joint statement issued shortly after the meeting, the five-party alliance said it will focus on confronting the Turkish moves in the territorial waters in Cyprus, where Turkey has been carrying out “illegal” excavations in the Mediterranean under Cyprus sovereignty.

The alliance also condemned Turkey’s escalated violations of Greek airspace.
The European Union condemned May 16 the drilling and exploration operations of the Turkish drill ship Yavuz that has been drilling off Cyprus since April.

On May 3, Greece condemned two Turkish aircraft flying over Greek islands, stating that the Turkish jets buzzed a Greek chopper transporting the minister of defense and army commander who were traveling over a small island in the Aegean Sea.


The alliance statement also criticized Turkish actions in Libya, and the memorandum of understanding on the delineation of maritime borders in the Mediterranean and the understanding on security and military cooperation, both signed in November 2019 between Turkey and the internationally recognized Tripoli-based Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) headed by Fayez al-Sarraj.

On May 14, the Turkish Petroleum Corporation submitted a request to the GNA to obtain permission to start exploration in the eastern side of the Mediterranean. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also discussed with Sarraj May 17 the executive steps of the above-mentioned memorandum.

The anti-Turkey alliance also condemned the ongoing war in Libya and the Turkish military support for the GNA, calling on Turkey to stop the flow of foreign fighters from Syria to Libya.

The Turkish military movements in Libya have changed the course of the battles ongoing around Tripoli between pro-government forces and eastern military strongman Khalifa Hifter. The latter’s self-proclaimed Libya National Army (LNA) withdrew from al-Watiya air base May 19, in light of attacks by the GNA, backed by Turkish military battleships and airstrikes, according to Ahmed al-Mismari, spokesman for the Libyan army.

The alliance’s joint statement concluded that it will continue to hold regular consultations, which according to pundits is further confirmation of the alliance endeavors to keep Turkey at bay..................................Read more: https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/or...libya-mediterranean-waters.html#ixzz6O3c19ED9

 

[Sketch]

God bless Greece and may she have the best of luck against those who would destroy her.

 

[Bald1]

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Ottomans will Ottoman?

 

[EL CORINTHIAN]

US Backs Greece in Dispute Over Turkey-Libya Maritime Deal
By Philip Chrysopoulos Jun 5, 2020

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he US government continues to cast aspersions on the legitimacy of the memorandum of understanding on sea borders signed by Turkey and Libya last November, calling it “provocative” and “counterproductive.”

The arbitrary demarcation of the two countries’ maritime borders violates Greece’s territorial waters as they have always been understood internationally. Additionally, Ankara does not recognize that islands have their own continental shelves and exclusive economic zones (EEZ).

Earlier in the week, Ankara announced that Turkish drilling vessels will start exploring for oil in the delineated area of the Eastern Aegean which includes Greece’s territorial waters off the islands of Crete, Rhodes, Karpathos and others.

Turkey presented its own map (below) of the areas where its research ships will drill for oil on behalf of the state-owned Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO). The demarcated areas violate the island nation of Cyprus‘ EEZ as well.

According to a Hellas Journal report, the US Department of State responded to an e-mail sent by the news organization regarding the legitimacy of the maritime border agreement between the two countries.

The State Department spokesperson responded by stressing that the illegal Memorandum of Understanding, from a legal point of view, affects the rights or obligations of third countries, such as Greece.

The US official reiterated a statement by State Department officials, including Assistant Secretary of State Frank Fannon and Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt, that the islands do have their own EEZs and continental shelves.

The Hellas Journal submitted the following questions to the US Department of State:

Question: Last December you told us that “the announcement of the signed demarcation Memorandum of Understanding between Ankara and Tripoli (Libya’s Government of National Accord, GNA) has increased tensions in the region and is unhelpful and provocative.”

Does your statement remain as it is?

Also: Today (yesterday), according to Anadolu (news agency):

The Turkish president said Ankara and Tripoli plan to promote co-operation in the Eastern Mediterranean, including exploration and drilling activities, to further benefit from natural resources.

As it is known, these activities will take place next to Crete.

What is your position on these illegal activities in Turkey and Libya?

Answer: “Our statement is still valid. You can use the following, attributed to a State Department spokesman:

While the United States generally does not take a stand on maritime disputes with other states, we consider Turkey’s actions to be counterproductive and provocative.

As a matter of long-term policy, we encourage states to resolve their disputes peacefully in accordance with International Law. In anticipation of the demarcation of the unresolved maritime borders, we call on all parties to show restraint and make every effort not to jeopardize or prevent a final agreement on maritime borders.

We note that Greece also has maritime claims in the area mentioned in the memorandum of Turkey and Libya. In this regard, we emphasize that the Memorandum of Understanding cannot, from a legal point of view, affect the rights or obligations of third countries, such as Greece.

We also note that, in accordance with International Law, as reflected in the Law of the Convention on the Sea, the islands have EEZs and continental shelves to the same extent as any other land.”

Cyprus’ stance on the issue

Former Cypriot ambassador to Washington Andreas Iakovidis, who attended the conference and signed the Convention on the Law of the Sea on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus, described the State Department statement as “correct and helpful.”

“It’s been right and it’s been going on for several years – and that’s definitely the law,” Iakovidis told Hellas Journal. Since 2004, the former ambassador has given a lecture every year on the status of the islands at the Rhodes Academy of Maritime Law, organized by the University of Virginia in collaboration with other academic institutions.

“There is no doubt about the validity of the Law of the Sea for the islands. Article 121, which has the agreement of Contracting Member States and the European Union, clearly states the status of the islands. These provisions are customary law and as such are binding on all States,” Iakovidis told the Cyprus News Agency, adding that the United States, under President Bill Clinton, had signed the Convention, but due to the reluctance of some members, has not yet ratified it.

Iakovidis noted that Article 121 stipulates that, “the territorial sea, the neighboring zone, the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf of an island are determined in accordance with the provisions of the Convention for other terrestrial lands.”

The former ambassador also said “During the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea in Caracas and New York, and during the preparatory phase in Geneva, Turkey and some other countries made great efforts to promote the adoption of their position. Their position is that islands do not have EEZs or continental shelves but only territorial waters.”

Iakovidis continued by stating “After much discussion, during which the Cyprus delegation was one of the protagonists – as seen in the legal history of Article 121, which was drawn up by the UN Secretariat – the Turkish position was rejected and Article 121 was adopted.”

The former ambassador further averred that this was one of the reasons why Turkey voted against the Treaty and continues to do so every year at the UN General Assembly, with the most recent occurrence of this on December 10, 2019.
https://greece.greekreporter.com/20...e-in-dispute-over-turkey-libya-maritime-deal/​

 

[EL CORINTHIAN]

Greece is ready for military conflict with Turkey: MoD​

By News Desk 2020-06-05

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BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:00 P.M.) – Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panayotopoulos said in a television interview that his country is ready for everything in order to protect its sovereign rights, including military action against Turkey in the event of provocations.

He pointed out that his ministry notes the increasing Turkish provocations in recent times.


He claimed that “Turkey’s behavior has been very aggressive in the recent period. I think our only way to deal with this behavior, which generally tends to be aggressive, is to use all diplomatic weapons, as well as to ensure an increase in the capacity of our army to deter.”

When asked if Greece was ready for a military solution to the dispute with Turkey, as the Greek Prime Minister’s advisor said, Panayotopoulos replied: “Exactly so.”

“The chancellor said that we are preparing for any situation. Of course, everything is possible, including military action. We do not want that, but we want to make it clear that we will do our best to protect our sovereign rights as possible,” the minister added.

A few days ago, the Turkish government newspaper published a request for a Turkish state oil company to obtain a license to explore for oil and gas in an area near the Greek islands.

Then, on June 3, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis sent a letter to the European Union leadership on “Turkish provocations”. Greece announced that all of this would lead to a Turkish-European crisis.

Yesterday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced in a joint press conference with Prime Minister of the Libyan Government of National Accord Fayez al-Sarraj in Ankara that Turkey intends, together with the Libyan government, to explore and develop oil and gas fields in the Mediterranean.
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/greece-is-ready-for-military-conflict-with-turkey-mod/
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[Fluffernutter]

Egypt announces international anti-Turkey alliance

Turkish drilling vessel Yavuz is escorted by Turkish navy frigate TCG Gemlik (F-492) in the eastern Mediterranean Sea off Cyprus, Aug. 6, 2019. Photo by REUTERS/Murad Sezer.
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Anti-Turkey alliance:

Greece - OK
Cypres - I understand
Egypt - Yup.
UAE - Huh?
France - Why?

 

[Crono7]

Fuck that golem looking fuck Erdogan.

 

[Bacco]

Anti-Turkey alliance:

Greece - OK
Cypres - I understand
Egypt - Yup.
UAE - Huh?
France - Why?

France and Turkey both want control Libya

 

[Oceanmachine]

Anti-Turkey alliance:

Greece - OK
Cypres - I understand
Egypt - Yup.
UAE - Huh?
France - Why?

Turkey thinks it can lead the Muslim world and is annoying the US and Russia.

Egypt is propped up by the US and Sisi maintains power with US help. US is likely telling him what to do.

UAE is also annoyed at Turkey's attempts to lead the Islamic world. And the headache Turkey causes for the two larger powers.

I also assume a pipeline is involved in addition to Turkey being a troublemaker and crappy ally

 

[ArmenianAssasin]

Anti-Turkey alliance:

Greece - OK
Cypres - I understand
Egypt - Yup.
UAE - Huh?
France - Why?

Also I feel offended we didn’t get the invite

we’re the most anti turkey country nation in
The world (Kurdistan isn’t an actual nation)

 

[mortal]

You and I can't know what'll happen. It's definitely not gonna be good, that's for sure.

 

[Misanthropist]

Anti-Turkey alliance:

Greece - OK
Cypres - I understand
Egypt - Yup.
UAE - Huh?
France - Why?

It’s to do with the EastMed pipeline project that’s being proposed by Greece and Egypt. South European countries (France, Italy and Cyprus) support the move as they would gain from it and would not be comfortable having a Turkish puppet next to them for very obvious reasons.

Turkey is against it because they would be in a risk of losing their waters as the pipeline project goes through their waters to Israel so they support the GNA force hoping they would have influence in the Mediterannean sea and build a corridor between Turkey and Libya to prevent this from happening. The strategic Turks are using on Greece is to destabilize them as much as possible via mass migration and stir up chaos in the inside as Greeks are already suffering from economic problems.

That’s why Greece and Egypt are actively involved in the Libyan conflict to support junta Haftar who is an American asset. The gulf countries is involved because they don’t want an openly anti-UAE Turkish influence in the MENA region.

 

[Misanthropist]

There are pictures circulating on social media that Egypt are sending Abram tanks into Libya borders because Haftar is losing and this coincide with the “international alliance” that Egypt formed.

Egypt sent Abrams tanks and attack helicopters to the Libyan border

https://defence-blog.com/news/army/...-attack-helicopters-to-the-libyan-border.html

Egypt on Saturday unveiled a plan to end the years-long civil war in Libya, in an initiative accepted by the commander of the Libyan eastern forces that have suffered heavy losses in recent weeks.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi announced the plan in Cairo, alongside Khalifa Haftar, the head of the Libyan National Army (LNA) and Agila Saleh, the chief of Libya’s allied elected parliament.

“This initiative calls for respecting all international efforts and initiatives by declaring a ceasefire from 6pm [16:00 GMT] Monday, June 8, 2020,” President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi told a news conference on Saturday.

Turkey vs Egypt with Greece support?

 

[EL CORINTHIAN]

Greece, Cyprus & Armenia make historical move by blocking Turkey from leading UN General Assembly
PAUL ANTONOPOULOS

In a move never seen before at the United Nations General Assembly, Greece, Cyprus and Armenia objected to a bid by Turkey to become the next president of the UN General Assembly, T24 reported and then translated by Ahval on Monday.

The U.N. president serves a one-year term and the office rotates among five regional groupings of UN member states and in this the Western Europe and Others Group, in which Turkey belongs to, will hold the 2020-2021 term, Ahval explained. Turkey’s candidate is Volkan Bozkır, a former Minister of European Affairs and senior diplomat.

Bozkır, an MP for the ruling Justice and Development Party that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan belongs to, was to be head of the UN General Assembly in September 2020 for a 12 month period, but there are now question marks whether this will occur.

Although Greece, Cyprus and Armenia initially supported Turkey’s nomination to be the head of the UN General Assembly, they later decided to reject their candidacy.

The three countries who have a deep historical animosity towards Turkey, each having experienced genocide by the Turks that to this day Ankara refuses to acknowledge, rejected Turkey’s candidacy during “the silence procedure” that allowed members states 72 hours to raise objections on a draft resolution or decision.

This comes at a time when Turkey is threatening to violate Greece’s maritime space to extract natural resources, in what can be described as piracy. Turkey is already violating Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone in the research of oil and gas, but has thus far failed.

Recently, Josep Borrell, the EU’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, called on Turkey to respect the sovereign rights of Greece and Cyprus. “We are in close contact with our colleagues, the Foreign Ministers of Greece and also of Cyprus, in order to monitor the state of drilling and call on Turkey to stop drilling in areas where there is an EEZ or territorial waters of Cyprus and Greece,” said Borrell, adding that the Foreign Affairs Council “already delivered a strong message addressed to Turkey.”

On Saturday during an interview for Politico Europe, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said that if Turkey did not end its aggression in the eastern Mediterranean it should no longer be an EU candidate.

“Either they are compliant with the terms and conditions of any other candidate country, otherwise they could not be either a candidate or accepted,” Anastasiades said.

https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/06/...king-turkey-from-leading-un-general-assembly/