In his end of year statements, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu drew emphasis on several goals the country will push in 2022.
Among Ankara’s first priorities will be the sovereignty of the Aegean Greek islands which Turkey is prepared to challenge should Greece choose to not demilitarise them.
Cavusoglu reiterated a letter sent earlier last year to United Nations to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, arguing that his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias as well as Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis “want to increase tension” in the area with their “provocative statements”.
“Greece’s sovereignty over the islands was and remains dependent upon demilitarisation,” Cavusoglu said, adding that that Ankara is “starting this discussion now, determined to intensify efforts to ensure that the necessary steps are taken on this issue”.
“The prime minister used to be a little more sensible. He did not follow in the foreign minister’s provocative footsteps. Now the prime minister seems to be toeing Nikos Dendias’ line for domestic political reasons.”
“America always pursued a balanced policy with regards to the Cyprus issue, the East Mediterranean and Turkish-Greek relations. We remind them not to upset this balance,” Cavusoglu stressed.