Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias has criticized Turkey for allegedly exploiting NATO military exercises to advance its agenda in the Aegean Sea, while also calling out the alliance for failing to address the issue adequately.
Mr. Dendias made the remarks in Brussels on the sidelines of a NATO defense ministers’ meeting focused on Ukraine.
His comments came after Turkey reportedly attempted to avoid submitting flight plans to the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) and sought recognition of its jurisdiction over Search and Rescue zones in the Aegean during the NATO exercise “Steadfast Arrow.”
These actions were reportedly halted following Mr. Dendias’ intervention with NATO officials.
“NATO is always an alliance of values, and all exercises are designed with absolute respect for the sovereignty and sovereign rights of all member states.
There is no other way, and no other approach is acceptable,” Mr. Dendias said in a public statement.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between Greece and Turkey over long-standing disputes in the Aegean, including airspace and maritime boundaries.
Greece has repeatedly accused Turkey of violating its sovereignty, while Turkey has contested Greece’s claims in the region.
Mr. Dendias’ remarks underscore Greece’s frustration with what it sees as Turkey’s attempts to use NATO platforms to legitimize its claims.
The Greek minister also appeared to criticize NATO itself for not taking a stronger stance against such actions, emphasizing that the alliance must uphold its principles of respecting member states’ sovereignty.
The “Steadfast Arrow” exercise, which involved multiple NATO members, was intended to enhance military coordination and readiness.
However, the controversy surrounding Turkey’s actions has drawn attention to the challenges of maintaining unity within the alliance amid regional disputes.
Greece and Turkey, both NATO members, have a history of strained relations, with tensions often flaring over energy exploration, territorial waters, and airspace.
The latest incident is likely to further complicate efforts to improve dialogue between the two neighbors.