Israel's partner threatens Turkey: "The passive days are over"

Against the backdrop of growing tension between Israel and Turkey, Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis warned Ankara that "any attempt to infringe upon our sovereign rights will be met with all the means at our disposal," adding that Athens is "fully prepared for any scenario."

In an interview with local media, Gerapetritis rejected claims that Greece is pursuing a soft policy toward Turkey, and declared that "the Greece of passivity and diplomatic stagnation is gone forever." However, he clarified that Athens is still interested in peace and dialogue with Ankara without waiving its sovereign rights.

The tension between Greece and Turkey is rooted, among other things, in disputes over sovereign rights and maritime demarcation in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean. Gerapetritis attacked the marine parks announced by Ankara, defined them as "illegal," and claimed that they extend beyond Turkey's territorial waters into maritime areas that have not yet been demarcated.

During the interview, Israel took a central place in Gerapetritis's remarks, as he presented the relationship with Jerusalem as part of the strategic network of relations that Greece has built in recent years. Alongside the Jewish state, he also listed the USA, France, Egypt, India, and the Gulf states.