ANKARA, January 1 Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar accused Greece of continuing provocative actions aimed at increasing tensions in the region.
Earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu warned Athens against expanding its territorial waters in the Aegean Sea. According to him, in recent days the Greek press writes that territorial waters of Greece will be expanded to 12 miles around Crete. But Turkey will not allow the expansion of Greek waters even by one mile in the Aegean Sea. The head of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, referring to the casus belli on the part of Ankara, said that the decision of the Turkish Parliament of 1995 on this issue is clear and remains in force. Turkey has previously said it will consider the expansion of Greek waters as a casus belli.
“Although we extend the hand of peace, Greece insists on continuing its provocative actions and statements that constantly increase tension,” Akar was quoted as saying by TRT Haber.
Turkey believes that if Greece expands its territorial waters, which are now six miles, to 12 miles, it will practically close Turkish waters and block the possibility of reaching the international waters of Turkey, which will thus be locked in its territorial waters.