Turkish defence minister Gürler warns Greece over Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus

Turkish Defence Minister Kâzım Özkan Gürler addressed troops at a border camp in Ardahan, near the Greek frontier, and warned that Turkey “will not remain indifferent to any initiative that targets its sovereign rights” in the Aegean Sea, the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus. He reiterated that Turkey acts in accordance with international law but will not make concessions on its national interests, rejecting proposals to demilitarise Greek islands and stressing that Turkish armed forces possess “high operational capability, modern weapon systems, strong personnel and experience” to neutralise any threat.

Gürler linked the regional security environment to broader tensions involving the US‑Iran‑Israel axis and the Russia‑Ukraine war, asserting that these dynamics make the Black Sea and surrounding areas especially sensitive. The Greek defence ministry responded, stating that Greece exercises its sovereign rights in line with international law and maintains a high state of readiness to protect its national security.

The exchange underscores the continuing strategic rivalry between Turkey and Greece over maritime boundaries, energy exploration rights and the status of Cyprus.