Wednesday, August 16th., 2017
Turkey disputes Greek sovereignty over Aegean Sea isles anew
Aug, 16 2017
Author: Thema Newsroom 
Foreign Minister Cavusoglu says a number of isles under dispute in Aegean Sea
Turkey continues to dispute the sovereignty of Greece over a number small isles and islets in the Aegean Sea. Addressing his country’s national assembly, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu adopted inflammatory rhetoric against Greece stressing that his country would not accept any “de facto” situations. Mr. Cavusoglu said that there were no set and internationally defined sea borders regarding some small islands in the Aegean Sea, adding that the Lausanne Treaty was open for interpretation. “Within this framework we [Turkey] will not accept de facto situations that Greece will attempt to create”, he said.
The spokesperson of the Greek government, Dimitris Tzanakopoulos responded by saying that Greece would not accept any disputes of international treaties and Greek borders. Speaking to radio station Real FM Mr. Tzanakopoulos said Turkey’s position was extreme and was counterproductive in efforts to build a climate of trust and cooperation between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Cavusoglu says a number of isles under dispute in Aegean SeaTurkey continues to dispute the sovereignty of Greece over a number small isles and islets in the Aegean Sea. Addressing his country’s national assembly, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu adopted inflammatory rhetoric against Greece stressing that his country would not accept any “de facto” situations. Mr. Cavusoglu said that there were no set and internationally defined sea borders regarding some small islands in the Aegean Sea, adding that the Lausanne Treaty was open for interpretation. “Within this framework we [Turkey] will not accept de facto situations that Greece will attempt to create”, he said.
The spokesperson of the Greek government, Dimitris Tzanakopoulos responded by saying that Greece would not accept any disputes of international treaties and Greek borders. Speaking to radio station Real FM Mr. Tzanakopoulos said Turkey’s position was extreme and was counterproductive in efforts to build a climate of trust and cooperation between the two countries.