Greece is launching a series of diplomatic initiatives against Turkey’s provocative and destabilizing attitude, by order of Foreign Affairs Minister Nikos Dendias, diplomatic sources said on Monday.
The actions are as follows:
– a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres denouncing Turkey’s highly destabilizing actions.
– a letter to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in which, in addition to briefing on the latest developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, it is emphasized that Turkish behavior not only violates the basic rules of conduct of an allied country, but also creates the risk of destabilizing NATO’s south-eastern flank and contradicts the provisions of the Greece-US Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement.
– a letter to the High Representative of the EU and Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell on Turkish delinquency, which will emphasize Greece’s fundamental right to invoke Article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union (Mutual Defence clause).
– Report to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) of the illegal announcement of the extension of the Turkish area of search-and-rescue responsibility, which overlaps with areas of Greek sovereignty and jurisdiction, which therefore does not produce legal results and at the same time does not serve to protect human life.
– A complaint to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on the same issue.
– An intense protest action has been taken by the Greek embassy in Ankara to the Turkish side.
– Immediate briefing of the European Border & Coast Guard Agency FRONTEX, which operates in part of the area in question under Greek jurisdiction.
– Promoting Turkey’s destabilizing role at international level and at the same time highlighting to competent international bodies the continuously deteriorating human rights situation in Turkey.
