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Greek PM Mitsotakis says Turkey's position over Greek islands' sovereignty 'absurd'

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Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitchells said Tuesday (14 June) that Turkey's questioning of Greece's sovereignty over the Aegean islands was "absurd" and made it difficult for any talks between them.

"Turkey’s objections, in the latest UN letters, are absolutely absurd because they raise questions about Greece’s sovereignty over its island," Mitsotakis stated in a preview interview that will be broadcast by state TV ERT later Tuesday. "We can't have any discussion about the absurd."

NATO allies Turkey and Greece have been at odds for years over issues that range from maritime borders and claims over their continental shelves in Europe to airspace, migrants, and the ethnically divided Cyprus.

Tensions flared again recently with Erdogan stating that Greece should cease arming the Aegean Islands that have a demilitarised state and follow international agreements. Ankara claims that the Aegean Islands were granted to Greece under the 1923 Lausanne treaties and the 1947 Paris treaties, provided it doesn't arm them.

Athens stated that Turkey's comments about arming the islands were unfounded. Both countries sent letters to United Nations describing their differing positions on islands and airspace.

Last month, Turkish President Tayyip Erdan said Mitsotakis "no more exists" for him. He also accused the Greek leader of trying block sales of F-16 fighter planes to Turkey while he was visiting the United States.

Mitsotakis stated that the leaders would undoubtedly meet at some point, and that they should continue to talk to one another.

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Mitsotakis stated, "We must meet together and we have to discuss...we need to be able agree that we disagree, but we need agree on the framework to solve our differences."

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg urged Turkey and Greece to abstain from any rhetoric or actions that could escalate the crisis.

In an interview with the semi-state Athens News Agency, he stated that "At a moment when (Russian President Vladimir Putin's) war in Ukraine has shattered Europe's peace, it is even more essential for allies to stand united."

After a five year hiatus, Greece and Turkey began bilateral talks in 2021 to improve their ties. However, they have not made much progress. Erdogan declared last week that Turkey would halt all bilateral talks.

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