Greek prime minister says armed conflict with Turkey won’t ever happen

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addresses reporters at the Thessaloniki International Fair, in the northern city of Thessaloniki, Greece, September 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addresses reporters at the Thessaloniki International Fair, in the northern city of Thessaloniki, Greece, September 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)

Greece’s prime minister says that he cannot imagine that tensions with neighboring NATO ally Turkey could ever escalate into armed conflict.

Asked by The Associated Press whether a recent escalation in rhetoric from Turkey, led by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, could be the prelude to an armed conflict, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis replies negatively.

“I don’t believe this will ever happen. And if, God forbid, it happened, Turkey would receive an absolutely devastating response. And I think they know it very well. Turkey knows the competence of the Greek forces,” he says.

Erdogan has accused Greece of occupying supposedly demilitarized islands in the Aegean Sea and has threatened that Turkey would take action.

Mitsotakis adds that, despite Erdogan’s “unacceptable” comments, he is still open to dialogue and a meeting with him.

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.