Greek Prime Minister Kiryakos Mitsotakis spoke about the US sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey. “Whoever thinks that Greece can forever block the US arms sale to Turkey, I think, doesn’t fully understand the real balance of power,” Mitsotakis said. said.
Speaking to SKAI FM radio, Mitsotakis made evaluations about Greek domestic policy and Turkey-Greece relations.
ATTENTION TURKEY STATEMENT
Mitsotakis stated that he wants to complete his four-year term and does not think of early elections. Commenting on the developments in bilateral relations after coming to power, Mitsotakis argued that there are two ways in front of Turkey.
Mitsotakis said, “If (Turkey) wants to get closer to Europe, it will not only reduce tensions, but also stop doubting the sovereignty and sovereign rights of European countries. If it chooses the other path, it will be further removed from the European perspective and of course the consequences for EU-Turkey relations. will.” he said.
“OUR MEETING WAS IN A POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE”
Stating that he did not expect a tension similar to the summer period of 2020 in Turkish-Greek relations this summer, Miçotakis reminded that the meeting he held with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in March was also in a positive atmosphere.
“As long as Turkey continues to doubt the sovereignty of Greece, any improvement in Turkish-Greek relations is unlikely,” Mitsotakis said. said.
EXPLANATION ON THE F-16 SALE OF THE USA TO TURKEY
Referring to his visit to the USA, Miçotakis used the following statements regarding the positive approach of US President Joe Biden to Turkey’s purchase of F-16s from the USA:
“Anyone who thinks that Greece can forever block the US arms sale to Turkey, I don’t think, fully understands the real balance of power. I think what we have accomplished? Especially to the US Congress, that the sale of arms to a NATO member country, which is now a source of instability in NATO’s southeast flank,” , (we succeeded) in explaining that the United States is not in its own interests.”
Mitsotakis argued that after this point, the US’s decisions on arms sales depended on an extremely complex, long-term and bureaucratic process, and that the Congress was not willing to sell arms to Turkey at the moment unless Turkey changed its behavior.
“WE DON’T WANT AN ISOLATED TURKEY”
Stating that Greece does not desire an isolated Turkey in the international arena, Miçotakis noted that there is no reason why Turkey and Greece should not be very good friends.
Mitsotakis, arguing that Greece can be a bridge between Europe and Turkey, “However, it does not depend on us, it depends on Turkey.” said. (AA)