In an interview with a Greek broadcaster, the Greek Minister of Health, Adonis Georgiadis, highlighted Greece’s growing military capabilities. He mentioned that Greece had acquired F-35 and F-16 fighter jets, frigates, and established alliances with the United States and France.
Georgiadis responded to comments made by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stating that Greece could deploy F-35s over Ankara “one night.” However, he clarified that he was not suggesting that this would actually happen.
These comments come amid ongoing tensions between Greece and Turkey, despite recent efforts to improve bilateral relations. Georgiadis dismissed Erdogan’s rhetoric, questioning Turkey’s aviation capabilities and calling their aircraft outdated. He said, “With what will you come to Greece one night? With the junk you have? Everyone knows that Turkey is zero in aviation.”
These remarks come after both Greece and Turkey had an exchange of barbs over Turkey’s military operation in Cyprus in 1974. Each side accused the other of distorting the background and unfolding of events as the 50th anniversary of the intervention was marked on the island.
Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004 but has been divided since Turkey’s 1974 invasion of the northern part of the island. This invasion was in response to a coup by Greek Cypriot nationalists who wanted to link the country to Greece. The northern part of the island, with a majority of Turkish Cypriots and Turkish settlers, proclaimed itself as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) in 1983.
The exchange of barbs occurred as both sides try to reduce tensions and improve their relations. Despite years of tension over migration, energy rights, and maritime borders in the Aegean Sea, Greece and Turkey restarted high-level talks in December. This was after President Erdogan paid his first visit to Athens since 2017 and signed a declaration of friendship between the two countries. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reciprocated Erdogan’s visit on May 13.
