German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has asked Turkey to exercise restraint towards Greece as tensions between the two countries have flared.
German government spokesperson on Wednesday at a regular news conference in Berlin said, “The chancellor is of the opinion that, given the current situation, it is necessary for all NATO allies to stand together and refrain from provocations among themselves.
The spokesperson added, “Invading Greek airspace and flying over Greek islands is not okay, it seems counterproductive and against the spirit of the alliance.
Greece and Turkey have traded accusations of airspace violations in recent weeks.
Turkey and Greece, both NATO allies, have long been at odds over a host of issues such as maritime boundaries, the extent of their continental shelves and airspace, and relations with ethnically split Cyprus.
Germany is committed to resolving the open questions between Greece and Turkey in private dialogue, and on the basis of international law, said the spokesperson.
At the same time, said the spokesperson, “we cannot accept the questioning of the sovereignty of member states of the European Union”.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned Scholz’s statement and said Ankara will continue defending its sovereignty against its airspace violation by Greek forces.
The ministry statement has strongly condemned and rejected what it describes as baseless statements against Turkey by Germany’s chancellor’s office.
It adds it expects Germany to invite Greece to act in accordance with international agreements, rather than making biased statements not in line with the spirit of alliance.
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