A question to the European Commission on “the new provocative statements by Turkish Defence Minister Yassar Güler challenging the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Greece and the Republic of Cyprus”, was submitted by the MEP of the New Democracy and the EPP and Chairman of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee, Manolis K. Kefalogiannis.
Specifically, the text of the question, as communicated in a relevant statement, is as follows:
“In recent provocative statements, Defence Minister Yasar Güler stressed, among other things.
Activities aimed at militarizing islands that should remain in civilian status are incompatible with good neighbourly relations, the spirit of the alliance and international law.
It must be made clear that we will never remain indifferent to any attempt that targets our sovereign rights, our security and our legitimate rights and interests in our seas.”
These statements by Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Güler constitute yet another blatant provocation against EU member states and reiterate Turkey’s long-standing revisionist policy against Greece and Cyprus.
Agkara, systematically violating international law, is attempting to fabricate non-existent sovereignty issues in the Aegean, while it continues to maintain an active casus belli against Greece, directly threatening to use force against an EU member state. These statements are not just provocative rhetoric, but a direct undermining of regional stability, European security and international legitimacy.
Greece has an inalienable and legitimate right to defend its islands against a country that maintains landing forces on the coast of Asia Minor and has been threatening war for decades.
In view of the above, will the European Commission say:
– Will the Commission unequivocally condemn the new statements by the Turkish Defence Minister which question the sovereignty of Greek islands and are directly directed against EU Member States?
– Will it take action to condemn the new statements by the Turkish Defence Minister which question the sovereignty of Greek islands and directly target EU Member States?
– How does the Commission view the continued threat of a casus belli against a Member State, a behaviour which is not in line with the fundamental principles, values and obligations of a candidate country for accession to the European Union?
– How does the Commission view the continued threat of war (casus belli) against a Member State, a behaviour which is not in line with the fundamental principles, values and obligations of a candidate country for accession to the European Union?
– Does the Commission intend to call for specific sanctions against Turkey if its revisionist and aggressive policy against Greece and the Republic of Cyprus continues?
