Message from Mitsotakis to Türkiye: "Our caution should not be perceived as weakness"

Greek Prime Minister Kiryakos Mitsotakis, who shared a social media post about relations with Ankara after his visit to the Island of Meis, stated that "their caution should not be perceived as weakness." The Greek press stated that Mitsotakis aimed to clarify his attitude in relations with Turkey with his last message.

Mitsotakis identified three principles as a prerequisite for the country's prosperity and progress. The Greek leader said these principles are "certainty, stability and consistency". The Greek Prime Minister stated that they are seeking "friendly relations without tension and provocation" with Türkiye, adhering to international law and the law of the sea.

Arguing that the Athens government "serves the country by pursuing a responsible, patriotic and realistic foreign policy," Mitsotakis said:

"At the same time, we also take care to strengthen the country's deterrence. This ensures that today Greece is recognized as a force for security and peace in the entire region."

Explaining that Athens' aim is "a future closed to all revisionist aspirations, open to mutual respect and international legitimacy", Mitsotakis evaluated: "This is the national line we have been following since 2019 and strengthening our homeland in every field."

Mitsotakis reiterated in a "firm tone" that he was seeking "friendly relations without tension and provocation, adhering to international law and the law of the sea" with Türkiye.

The newspaper stated that Mitsotakis' statement came just a few days after the words of Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Ierapetritis. Yerapetritis emphasized that "recently, there has been more tension in the region resulting from various reasons, including the positions developed by international alliances."

Yerapetritis also said, "In our opinion, there is no danger on the field. All our scenarios are ready for any tension or increase in pressure. Greece is ready to respond on the field. Of course, we are ready to respond on the field."

The Greek newspaper interpreted Mitsotakis' statement as "an implicit message to Türkiye" and claimed that these words actually had two basic meanings. According to Topontiki's analysis, Mitsotakis wanted to give the message to Türkiye that his country had not given up its claims in the Aegean Sea. It was also noted that Mitsotakis indirectly responded to criticism of the government's foreign policy from the opposition.

The newspaper also claimed that another factor showing the current state of Greece-Turkey relations is that Mitsotakis and Gerapetritis do not plan to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during the UN General Assembly meetings to be held in New York between 22-28 September. It was claimed that this situation indicates that diplomatic contacts between the two countries are limited at this stage.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan met with his Greek counterpart Yerapetritis in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, on June 10.

Greece's News 24/7 news site described Mitsotakis' statements as a "double message". It was stated that the statements of the Greek Prime Minister were aimed not only at Türkiye but also at the inner circles of his party, New Democracy. In particular, it was stated that the newly established party of former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras threatened to attract voters who were disappointed with Mitsotakis by using national issues as the main argument.

The news stated that Mitsotakis' statements were both a message of balance for Ankara and a response to the opposition's criticism. From the Greek government's point of view, the results of the foreign policy followed in the last 7 years constitute one of the best "trump cards" of New Democracy in the upcoming election struggle.

News 24/7 was reminded that Greek Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis and Minister of Justice Giorgos Floridis argued that if there is no government stability in the country, the risk of attack by Türkiye will increase. Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis preferred to stay away from the statements of the two ministers.

Marinakis defended the policy of Greek-Turkish dialogue and emphasized that the talks did not mean stepping back from national positions.

Mitsotakis also gave assurances regarding the "Achilles Shield" project in his post on Sunday. Answering questions about the source code of the central command and control system raised by the opposition after the agreement signed with Israel, Mitsotakis said, "For those who are worried, the central command and control software will be in Greece, will be produced by Greek companies participating in the program, and as understood, operational and technological support will be provided to develop the Greek source code adapted to Greek operational requirements."

The statement came after Moshe Patel, Director of the Missile Defense Organization of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, gave an interview to Kathimerini newspaper in which he stated that the source code was not included in the agreement.

Mitsotakis also said, "This policy has consequences on the ground; such as exclusive economic zone agreements with Italy and Egypt, maritime spatial planning, expansion of territorial waters in the Ionian Sea, the purchase of Rafale and Belharra, as well as two Italian FREMM-class frigates."