Athens/Istanbul, Sept. 7, (dpa/GNA) – Greece has reinforced its presence on the Turkish border amid tensions between the two countries over energy resources in the Mediterranean, the Greek deputy migration minister, Giorgos Koumoutsakos, said on Sunday.
He warned that Ankara could use migrants to pressure the European Union not to impose sanctions on Turkey, Koumoutsakos told news agency Skai, referring to a dispute about Turkish gas drilling in what Greece considers its exclusive economic zone.
“We are prepared and will respond as we did in March,” Koumoutsakos said.
In March, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had declared the border to Greece open, which led to thousands of migrants arriving to cross into the European Union via Greece.
Greek security forces were deployed to prevent people from entering at the time. The EU border agency Frontex is also stationed at the Greek-Turkish border.
Meanwhile, Turkish military forces and elements from Turkish-administered northern Cyprus began a joint military exercise dubbed Mediterranean Storm off Cyprus on Sunday, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay confirmed on Twitter.
The Defence Ministry earlier said the annual exercise, which is to run until Thursday, is aimed at “improving mutual training, cooperation, and interoperability” between the Turkish mainland and the force command on the divided island’s north.
The EU has repeatedly criticized Turkey for conducting gas exploration near the Greek islands Kastelorizo, Rhodos and Crete.
During an upcoming summit on September 24 and 25, EU leaders are expected to decide on whether to impose sanctions on Turkey.
European Council President Charles Michel spoke to Erdogan on the phone on Sunday, according to an EU official.
Michel stressed the importance of de-escalating tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, and called on Ankara to “refrain from activities that fuel the tensions,” the source added.
“[The] goal is clear: to listen and call for dialogue as the only way to resolve current disputes,” the EU official said.
GNA