Greece aggressive to stop arms sale by European countries to Turkey

Brussels: – There are indications that the dispute between Greece and Turkey is festering further. Greece has started aggressive efforts to stop arms sales by the European countries to Turkey. The Greek leaders have presented an insistent stand that if arms are sold to Turkey, the same arms could be used against Europe. Greece has strongly opposed the cooperation between Germany and Turkey for the development of submarines. At the same time, it is reported that Greece has started increasing its defence cooperation with Saudi Arabia to counter Turkey.

Tremendous tension is reigning between Greece and Turkey over the oil reserves in the Mediterranean Sea. Turkey has incited Greece by sending its ships for oil extraction and exploration to the marine region near Greece. Greece also has adopted an aggressive stand against this and has initiated steps to increase its level of defence preparedness. Although the European Union has supported Greece, certain countries are not willing to oppose Turkey completely. The stand taken by countries like Spain and Netherlands endorses the division.

Greece had proposed that sanctions should be imposed against Turkey to stop its aggressive activities. But Germany opposed the proposal and got it dismissed. It is said that the reason for this is the trade and defence cooperation with Turkey. Therefore, Greece seems to have started efforts to stop the defence cooperation between the European countries and Turkey. It is being revealed that the Greek leaders are already in talks with the German government.

During the discussions, Greece cited the decision taken by the European countries after the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2014. Following the Russian attack on Ukraine, Germany and France had cancelled major defence agreements with Russia. Greece is insistent that a similar stand should be adopted against Turkey.

Against the same background, Greece has initiated steps to strengthen defence cooperation with other countries to counter Turkey. A report has been received that Greece has decided to supply the Patriot Missile system to Saudi Arabia.