Photo: AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik
In an almost unbelievable statement, a spokesperson for Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has said that Turkey and Greece should resolve their differences "on the battlefield".
Ömer Çelik of the AKP party said:
"We have enough diplomatic experience not to turn a blind eye to those who are exploiting the negotiating table to support the de facto situations they have created on the battlefield. Nothing can be achieved through intimidation and coercion. Greece must understand this. In the Aegean, in the eastern Mediterranean, we want – unquestionably – all issues to be resolved through diplomacy, but those who use diplomacy to take a breath and form alliances against Turkey, we have to answer on the battlefield."
He went on:
"They are caught and they say absurd things that Turkey is a factor of instability here. The Turkish state has been committed since the beginning of Ataturk to 'Peace in the homeland, peace in the world'. We have the power to give the answer we give at the table and on the battlefield."
The statement came as de facto Turkish president Recep Erdogan said Greece would 'get the answer it deserves', regarding disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Turkey's actions both domestically and in international relations have led to it being regarded by the western world as a dangerous pariah state. Domestically it has imprisoned more journalists than any other country and the state controls the vast majority of the media. Opponents are imprisoned and tortured. It has also banned social media that allows posts critical of the government. Internationally, Turkey has backed Islamic extremists in Syria and Libya and invaded Northern Syria with its own military. During this mission, it intentionally cut off water supplies in order to starve out the civilian population. It is now sending Islamic Jihadis to Azerbaijan to fight against the native Armenian population in Artsakh.
These latest comments just adds to the evidence of Turkey's imperial ambitions and disregard for international law and legal processes.
Referring to Turkey's recent behaviour and, in particular, the shipping of Jihadis to Azerbaijan, French President Emmanuel Macron said:
"A red line has been crossed, which is unacceptable. I urge all NATO partners to face up to the behaviour of a NATO member. France's response is to ask Turkey for an explanation on this point."
COMMENTS