Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis urges Turkey for 'substantial dialogue'

Athens: Greece will not follow Turkey down the path of "fiery words", says Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, while also calling on the neighbouring country to choose "constructive actions and substantial dialogue". "Turkey faces not just Greece, but Europe and our allies in NATO," Mitsotakis said in a statement following a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, accusing Ankara of "repeating lies and threats", reports Xinhua news agency "We will calmly and self-confidently rest in our clear positions with the strength of international law, the vigilance of our armed forces, the support of our allies," he added.

Relations between the two NATO allies have long been tense over a series of issues, including maritime and energy disputes in the Aegean and Mediterranean Sea. Lately they have exchanged strong remarks over many incidents. Greek news agency AMNA reported that Turkey on Monday presented a demarche to Athens' Ambassador in Ankara Christodoulos Lazaris over an alleged violation of international law through the presence of Greek armoi=ured military vehicles at border islands. Greece later rejected the claim, AMNA said, citing diplomatic sources. The agency also reported that Greek Defence Minister Nikos Hardalias is visiting several Hellenic Army and Hellenic Navy posts on islands of the Eastern Aegean Sea on Tuesday and Wednesday. (IANS)

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