Erdogan Warns Greece Over Israel Defense Deal: 'Turn Back From This Wrong Path'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a warning today (Wednesday) to the Greek government following reports that it had signed a security agreement with Israel. Erdogan called on the Greeks "to immediately stop arming islands with demilitarized status."

During his flight back to Turkey from Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, where he attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, the Turkish president said: "Our moderate approach must not be interpreted as weakness. Greece must turn back from this wrong path and stop arming the islands. History is a very good guide for those who learn its lessons."

Erdogan added that his country wants its relations with Greece to be based on good neighborliness. At the same time, he drew a clear red line regarding any attempt to harm Turkey's standing: "Turkey has no designs on anyone's land, but it will not allow anyone to trample on its rights. Ignoring existing international agreements will benefit no one. Anyone who interprets Turkey's calm and measured approach as weakness is making a grave mistake."

As reported, Israel and Greece yesterday signed an arms deal worth billions of euros. Greece purchased several weapons systems, as well as missile interception and launch systems, from Israel. According to reports, it intends to deploy some of them on islands, including some off Turkey's coast.