Turkey warns NATO over France-Greece defence pact; President Erdogan expels envoys of ten nations

Istanbul: – Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar warned that a move by NATO member states to form alliances outside the scope of its framework could be detrimental to NATO. The warning comes over a defence agreement reached between Greece and France last month. As Turkey’s Defence Minister warns NATO, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ordered the expulsion of ambassadors from 10 countries, including seven NATO member states.

Various surveys conducted over the last few years have revealed that the Mediterranean Sea region has large fuel reserves. Since last year, Turkey has been making aggressive moves to seize the maximum share of these reserves. It has also begun asserting its right to fuel in the Mediterranean region between Greece and Cyprus. Turkey had launched a series of missions in the Mediterranean, sending research ships and warships. Greece had stepped up its defence deployments in the Mediterranean, protesting the Turkish actions.

Greece has since called for stronger strategic cooperation with France, the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Egypt. There were also attempts to exert diplomatic pressure on Turkey through the European Union and NATO. The defence deal with France is also considered part of the same efforts. Under the agreement, France will supply Greece with three advanced destroyers. In addition, the deal includes a ‘Mutual Assistance Clause’. Under this provision, if there is a threat of external aggression, the two countries can cooperate at the military level.

The agreement signed by Greece has upset Turkey and it has started firing salvos of criticism directly on NATO. Defence Minister Hulusi Akar warned that France, Greece and Turkey are all three NATO members. At such a time, the signing of separate agreements between two member countries could be detrimental to NATO. At the same time, bilateral cooperation and mutual trust can be rocked. With the NATO framework in place, it would not be appropriate for member states to sign independent agreements outside its scope.’

As Defence Minister Akar warns NATO, President Erdogan has ordered the expulsion of ambassadors from 10 countries, including seven NATO member states. These include the United States, France, Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and New Zealand. It has come to light that the action was taken concerning the demand for the release of entrepreneur Osman Kawala. Ambassadors of other countries, including the United States, had issued open statements regarding Kawala’s release.

President Erdogan has ordered the expulsion of the ambassadors, claiming that their statements were rude. The Turkish president said that instructions had been issued to the Foreign Minister in this regard. Intense reactions have been received over the action of the Turkish President, the United States and Germany have demanded a clarification. Denmark, Netherlands and Norway have issued an aggressive statement that they will continue to raise the issue of human rights in Turkey.