Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar on Friday accused Athens of "parading" over its recent military agreements with France and the United States, while pointing out that the Greek island of Kastelorizo is within walking distance of Turkey, the Greek newspaper Kathimerini was quoted as saying.
"This is not an arms race, but a parade of weapons. "They are seeking supremacy against Turkey by arming themselves, encouraged by some countries," Akar told senior military officials at a meeting in Ankara.
"This is a futile effort ... The Turkish Armed Forces have the ability, strength and will to defend the rights and interests of our country," he added.
As for France, with which Greece recently signed a major defense agreement, Akar also said that "Athens' last alliances with other NATO allies are useless."
Speaking of the island of Kastelorizo in the southeastern Aegean Sea, Akar said that "we are talking about an island of 10 square kilometers. And they [the Greeks] claim a sea area of 40,000 square meters for this island. And when we say no to that, they accuse us of being "expansionists."
"We expect them to understand that such actions and such rhetoric will not get them anywhere," he added.
Kastelorizo, he added, "is located at a distance of 1950 meters. A cadet from the military academy can swim next to him.
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