Attending the 6th Southeast Europe and Eastern Mediterranean Conference in Washington, Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias subtly attacked Turkiye without specifically calling it out. Ekathimerini claims that Dendias underlined Greece’s importance in the area and advised the United States to rethink its ties.
Dendias said the unnamed nation “does not feel that it has to abide by international law and the International Law of the Sea.” As Turkiye and Greece share the same Aegean Sea, there is an ongoing dispute between the two countries. Greece, following an expansionist and revisionist policy, wants to enlarge its territorial waters to 12 miles from six. Turkiye, with the longest coastline in the Mediterranean Sea, would be imprisoned in its coasts. Turkiye declared this attemp “casus belli.” Greece declared the 12 miles terriotorial water only at Ionia Sea.
Greek Defence Minister further asserted that this unidentified nation has close ties to Russia and that their difficult relations with Israel should affect U.S. policy decisions, thereby implying that these elements should guide American policy decisions.
In his address, Dendias said Greece should be contrasted with an unidentified Mediterranean nation and advised the United States to choose which country fits its interests. This nameless nation, he said, was autocratic, disobeyed international law, and did not respect NATO obligations.
Dendias also commended Greece’s historical posture, noting its support of Ukraine and remembering its major World War II sacrifices when the country lost 10 per cent of its population.
