Turkey says ‘expansionist’ Greek policies ‘far from reason’

Turkey on Sunday warned Greece against “expansionist attitudes,” saying it is just chasing a “vain hope”, reports Anadolu Agency.

“Greece should see that it cannot get anywhere with expansionist attitudes, approaches, and provocative behaviors and these policies are far from mathematics, reason, and understanding, and mean nothing but chasing a vain hope,” Hulusi Akar said in Edirne, a northwestern province bordering Greece.

Accompanied by top army generals, Akar inspected measures taken along the Greek border.

The defense chief reiterated that Turkey favors solving problems in the Aegean Sea through good neighborly relations and dialogue and in line with international laws.

READ: Greece completes construction of wall along border with Turkey

Akar also recalled the mutual and positive dialogue on cooperation in the fight against forest fires which ripped through both countries last month but criticized “provocations and unlawful aggressive actions” by the Greek side.

“We expect everyone, especially the administrators of our neighbor Greece, to see that having good relations with neighbors is also important for people of neighboring countries. But unfortunately, we constantly face provocations, unlawful aggressive actions, and discourse from the Greek side.”

He said Athens tries to limit Ankara’s movements by claiming both sea areas and airspace, adding it is not possible to get anywhere in this way, and they should see it very clearly.

Turkey will protect its rights, the minister pledged.