Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas made the following statement regarding an announcement from New Democracy foreign affairs shadow minister P. Panagiotopoulos on the carrying out of a Turkish exercise:
“I am sure that Mr. Panagiotopoulos has good intentions. Unfortunately, however, he seems to have fallen victim to misinformation. Naturally, if – once again – he had contacted the Foreign Ministry, he would have been informed on this issue before compromising himself.
What is referred to in the announcement and the correlations drawn do not correspond to the reality of the situation.
Between 23 and 25 May, the Turkish armed forces are carrying out, in international waters, part of the Turkish exercise Deniz Kurdu – an exercise the Greek side is well aware of – which is being monitored very closely by our country’s armed forces.
In international waters, as everyone knows, there is freedom of passage, which is a fundamental regulation of the Law of the Sea; a regulation that is reiterated in the articles of the Convention concerning Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).
The carrying out of this exercise can in no way be considered as having anything to do with Greece’s EEZ rights.
To avoid the distortion of the facts, and to thwart the usual efforts to use such issues for political manoeuvring, I repeat that none of Greece’s rights can be called into question by any provocative action on the part of Turkey.
Turkey, in an irregularity, issued a NAVTEX, while – based on the relevant provisions of the competent international organizations – the Greek authorities are responsible for NAVTEX issuing for this region.
In every case where Turkey proceeds to the irregular issuing of a NAVTEX, a demarche is made to the Turkish side, in cooperation and coordination with the Defence Ministry, fully safeguarding Greece’s responsibilities in this regard.
Once again, foreign policy issues are of far too great importance to be taken lightly and used for sensationalism and communication management.”
May 23, 2011