Greece has 'no intention' to enter into an arms race with Turkey

Duvar English - Anadolu Agency

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has said that he has no intention to enter into an arms race with Turkey.

"I had predicted in the spring that we would have a quiet summer. I see no reason why we shouldn’t have a quiet autumn and a quiet winter. I believe that Turkey understands that the tensions in the eastern Mediterranean will ultimately not benefit anyone," Mitsotakis told Greece's state-run broadcaster ERT. 

Stating that cooperation can be achieved with Turkey on common issues such as the climate crisis and the refugee problem, Mitsotakis underlined that economic cooperation is possible as part of good neighborly relations and respect.

He said the only way to solve the problems in the eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea is international law.

"I will tell you frankly: Agreements can be reached that require a mutual stepping back on some issues so that we can ultimately achieve solutions that benefit everyone."

He also emphasized the need for the modernization of the Greek Army.

“I am not in the mood for an arms race with Turkey. It is not my intention,” he said.

“Because, you know, these are decisions for arms programs that have a long horizon. I will hand over a more powerful armed forces to my successor.”

Mitsotakis said that decisions adopted by the European Council regarding the eastern Mediterranean have brought the framework of relations in the area into the European prism and that Turkish-Greek relations have turned into Turkey-EU relations.