From DefenseNews

 

Turkey Causing Security Problems: Greek Minister

By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, ATHENS

 

Greece’s defense minister on May 6 accused Turkey of “systematically” violating international law and causing “grave problems to regional stability and security” two days after a spate of alleged airspace infringements by Turkish warplanes which Athens deemed “particularly provocative.”

 

“Turkey’s provocative behavior systematically violates international law, causes great problems to regional stability and security, dynamites attempts to improve Greek-Turkish relations and undermines [Turkey’s] European prospects,” Spilios Spiliotopoulos said, according to a defense ministry press release.

 

Sixty Turkish military aircraft entered the Greek Flight Information Region (FIR) on May 4 without submitting flight plans, the highest activity of the sort noted in 18 months, a Greek army general staff source told Agence France-Presse.

 

Sixteen Turkish aircraft violated Greek airspace, and intercepting Greek planes engaged in mock dogfights on three occasions, the source said.

 

On May 5, the Greek army general staff reported a further 13 infringements and eight violations of Greek airspace by Turkish planes.

 

Greek and Turkish officials were scheduled to begin in Athens on May 6 a 30th round of the closed-door talks the two NATO allies launched in 2002 to resolve their disputes.

 

Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Tuygan is already in Athens for the talks, which have so far failed to yield tangible results.

 

[When are these two going to get their act together ? ]

From DefenseNews

 

Turkish Army Chief Meets Greek Defense Minister

By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, ATHENS

 

Turkish army general staff Chief Yasar Buyukanit, who is on an official visit to Greece, on June 23 visited the defense ministry in Athens and met with Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos.

 

In a 15-minute discussion with Buyukanit, the Greek minister complained that Turkey’s statements about improving bilateral relations were in contrast to the behavior of its air force over the Aegean Sea, the semi-official Athens News Agency (ANA) said, quoting ministry sources.

 

Seven formations of Turkish military aircraft on June 23 entered the Greek Flight Information Region (FIR) without submitting flight plans, some of them violating Greek airspace above the north and central Aegean Sea, ANA said.

 

Greece sets the limits of its airspace at 10 nautical miles (18 kilometers) from its coastline, but Turkey accepts a distance of only six nautical miles. The difference has caused recurring tension between the two NATO allies for years.

 

Buyukanit on June 23 also held talks with his Greek counterpart lieutenant-general Nikolaos Douvas on promoting cooperation between Turkish and Greek land forces.

 

On June 24 the Turkish army chief was due to travel to the northern port city of Thessaloniki, where he will visit the former home of Kemal Ataturk, founder of the secular Turkish state.

 

He is also scheduled to tour the ancient city of Vergina, capital of the 4th century BC kingdom of Lower Macedonia.

 

[Maybe they'll play nice from now on ... yeah, riiiight ! ]