The bellicose rhetoric was once again adopted by the Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar, who not only accused Greece of provocative actions, but also warned of a return of the “receipt” while asserting that Athens’ calculations for Kastellorizo ​​are incorrect. “Although we extend the hand of peace, Greece insists on continuing provocative actions and rhetoric that increase tension. We are on alert, we have not allowed anything done so far, nor will we do so,” he said.

Akar participated in an aircraft flight on the last day of the year and inspected from the air the elements of the Turkish Armed Forces in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, together with the commander of the Air Force.

At the same time, he argued that Greece is falsely accusing Turkey of expansionist and revisionist policies to cover up its own mistakes. Regarding Kastellorizo, he said: “They still insist on not seeing it. They want an area of ​​maritime jurisdiction of 40,000 square kilometres, they are arming the islands in violation of international agreements. Our operations are on alert. We have not allowed any deed so far, nor will we do so.”