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Recep Tayyip Erdoğan performing in Samsun
Photo: TURKISH PRESIDNET OFFICE HANDOUT / EPA
In the ongoing dispute between Turkey and Greece over several islands in the Aegean, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has once again sent harsh words to Athens.
When he appeared at a technology fair in the Black Sea city of Samsun, he indirectly threatened the neighboring country with war: "When the time comes, we will do what is necessary," he said.
"We can suddenly come overnight," he added.
The conflict over several islands and gas fields in the Aegean has been simmering between Athens and Ankara for decades.
It was only in 2020 that the two countries were on the verge of a military conflict.
Now there is a risk of further escalation because Turkey is again looking for gas in the Aegean Sea.
Erdoğan now said in Samsun that Greece would "occupy" East Aegean islands, reports the editorial network Germany (RND).
The Greek Foreign Ministry responded to the statements with a statement saying that Athens "will not follow Turkey on the path of daily threats".
The partners and allies of Greece will also be informed about "the provocative statements" by the Turkish side, "so that it is clear who is endangering NATO cohesion in this particularly dangerous phase," the RND report continues.
Both Greece and Turkey are NATO members.
Turkish fighter jets targeted by Greek ships
Military maneuvers are probably behind the rhetorical escalation.
Last weekend, Ankara accused Athens of having Greek ships track Turkish fighter jets with the radar of an air defense system.
In order to put pressure on Greece, Erdoğan has repeatedly used the flow of migrants trying to get to Greece from Turkey in the past.
DER SPIEGEL regularly reports how brutally Greece treats the refugees.
A five-year-old girl died on the border river Evros in August.
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