Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan referred to the defence cooperation between Greece and Israel, stressing that the relations Athens develops with third countries are its own choice. He added, however, that Turkey closely monitors any move it considers to concern its national security, rights and interests.
In an interview with the US magazine Newsweek, Erdoğan was asked about Greek-Israeli defence cooperation and whether the growing tension between Turkey and Israel could even lead to a military confrontation.
The Turkish President replied that “Turkey does not build its foreign policy on scenarios of inevitable war”. He argued that, instead of examining the hypothetical consequences of a military confrontation for NATO, the focus should be placed on diplomacy and preventing such a development.
“The relations that Greece, or any other country, develops with third states are their own choice,” he said.
He added, however, that Ankara does not view every bilateral relationship as a threat, but closely monitors moves it considers to be directed against its national security, “legitimate rights” and interests.
At the same time, he said that Turkey has a “strong position and weight” within NATO. According to him, regional security must be built on reducing tensions, deterrence and an approach that goes beyond “mutual encirclement”.
“Wrong rhetoric in Israel regarding a Turkish threat”
Referring to Israel, Erdoğan argued that “wrong rhetoric” has recently been cultivated there, presenting Turkey as a new source of threat.
According to him, this rhetoric is linked to domestic political developments and the electoral climate in Israel and “does not contribute to regional peace”.
He also noted that Turkey “does not have hostility towards the Israeli people”, but opposes policies that, according to Ankara, violate international law and intensify instability in the region.
Erdoğan was also asked about Israel’s influence in Washington. He replied that Turkey does not determine its relations with the United States through third countries.
“Our interlocutor in Washington is the government of the United States”
He added that when there is an issue that needs to be discussed with Donald Trump, he discusses it directly with him.
The Turkish President reiterated that his country seeks a multidimensional foreign policy, maintaining its Western alliances while also developing new regional partnerships.
He also referred to the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement between Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, rejecting the interpretation that it is specifically directed against Iran or Israel.
He clarified, however, that the agreement provides that an attack against one of the three states is considered an attack against all, and that assistance may, depending on the circumstances, extend to military support.
Source: CNA
