The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded, in a statement, to the provocative statements and threats by Devlet Bahceli about the Dodecanese and the strengthening of their defense power, clarifying that Greece “does not waive its natural and legitimate right to defence, as provided for in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter”, especially since it “is threatened with war (casus belli) if it exercises a right deriving from its sovereignty”.

“The maintenance of peace requires prudence and responsibility and not hostile statements,” the ministry added.