Following a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, I requested that an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers be held on the subject of Turkey's expanding provocations and illegal activity.
This request comes at a time of clear threat on the part of Turkey against peace and security in the Eastern Mediterranean, in Greece and in Cyprus.
Despite our country's commitment to dialogue on the basis of the rules of International Law and the Law of the Sea, a commitment which we again reiterate, Turkey has decided to return to its well-known illegal activity.
It has proven once again that its statements on its readiness to engage in dialogue were insincere and pretextual.
That it eschews modern perceptions that govern states in the 21st century.
That it lives and acts in the 19th century.
That it pursues gunboat diplomacy.
That it insists on playing a destabilising role.
That it is acting outside the framework of international law.
That it aims at imposing faits accomplis.
Let me, therefore, be absolutely clear: We shall not accept faits accomplis.
Any such attempts on the part of Turkey will not be tolerated.
We are addressing everyone.
Let it be clear that Greece will defend its sovereignty and its sovereign rights.
We call upon Turkey to immediately withdraw from Greece’s continental shelf.
August 11, 2020