Amid growing tensions in the Aegean region, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has issued a stern warning to Greece regarding its military activities on several Aegean islands. He emphasized that Turkey would not stand idly by while what it perceives as violations of international treaties occur. Erdoğan’s comments came following his attendance at a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, where he reiterated Turkey’s desire for amicable relations with Greece but urged Athens to cease its military deployments on islands that Ankara believes should remain demilitarized under international agreements.
The Greek government, however, defends its military presence on these islands, citing security concerns and asserting its sovereign right to protect its territory. This military issue is part of a broader spectrum of disagreements between the two NATO allies, which also includes disputes over maritime boundaries and proposed marine parks in the Aegean Sea. Erdoğan made it clear that Turkey has no ambitions to annex any territory, but he stressed the importance of safeguarding what Turkey sees as its legitimate rights. He cautioned that disregarding international accords could escalate conflicts and advised Greece to reflect on lessons from historical confrontations.
In addition to regional security matters, President Erdoğan expressed Turkey’s intention to strengthen its participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization while simultaneously nurturing robust ties with Western nations. During the summit, he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss various issues, including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the security challenges in the Black Sea. Erdoğan highlighted the necessity of establishing enduring security measures for commercial shipping, especially as Turkish ships face increasing risks in the area.
The Turkish leader also engaged in talks concerning defense collaborations with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. He touched on efforts to resolve the long-standing conflict involving the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and addressed Turkey’s bid to rejoin the US F-35 fighter jet program. Erdoğan assured that Turkey would continue to advance its domestic defense capabilities, particularly the development of the KAAN fighter jet, even as it pursues negotiations with the United States.
