Türkiye vows to not leave any Greek harassment, provocation without response

By Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) - Calling on Greece to not impede on Türkiye's offer of a hand of friendship, the country's defense minister on Friday affirmed that Ankara will not leave any harassment or provocation by Athens without a response.

Türkiye did not receive a positive response to its dialogue attempts from Greece, Hulusi Akar noted, speaking at an event in the northern Tokat province, saying Athens is not helping "de-escalate tensions" between the two countries.

"We do not harass or provoke (Greece), but we will not leave any harassment or provocation against us without response," Akar said, adding that despite Athens' "provocative attitude," Ankara continues its call for dialogue.

"Do not delay in holding this hand of friendship," he said and urged Greece to end its "irreconcilable and provocative attitudes."

About the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Akar noted Türkiye's efforts for peace, and said "nearly 17 million tons of grain (from Ukraine) has been exported to those in need."

Last July, Türkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine signed an agreement in Istanbul to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports, which were paused after the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022. A Joint Coordination Center with officials from the three countries and the UN was set up in Istanbul to oversee the shipments.

The first ship carrying grain departed on Aug. 1 last year from the Ukrainian port of Odesa under the historic deal.

Türkiye, internationally praised for its unique mediator role between Ukraine and Russia, has repeatedly called on Kyiv and Moscow to end the war through negotiations.

The Turkish defense chief further commented on a recent tripartite meeting between Türkiye, Russia, and Syria, and said Ankara has affirmed its support to Syria's territorial integrity.

Urging people in Syria to not be a tool of provocations, Akar stressed that Türkiye's main concern is counterterrorism.

On Dec. 28, the Turkish, Russian, and Syrian defense ministers met in Moscow to discuss counterterrorism efforts in Syria, and they agreed to continue tripartite meetings to ensure stability in Syria and the wider region.

The meeting tackled the Syria crisis, the refugee issue, and joint counter-terrorism efforts against all terror groups in Syria.