Dendias: We reject neo-Ottoman bullying

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias during a meeting with his visiting French counterpart Catherine Colonna in Athens, referred to the recent threats emanating from Ankara, saying Turkey wants “to turn back the clock of history and to revive the Ottoman Empire”.

Colonna, who had prior to her visit to Greece made a stop in Turkey, told Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu that there should be no escalation or rhetorical escalation.

Colonna said Paris will continue to be “supportive” when it comes to attacks on Greek sovereignty, saying this is something that “will not change”.

“I fully share the position you expressed to our Turkish counterpart,” the Greek Foreign Minister told his French counterpart.

“We speak in plain words. Turkey’s statements and actions are not acceptable. They are unacceptable. And reprehensible. But, we are not deterred. Nor are we afraid. We have faced far more serious threats in our history. We reject neo-Ottoman bullying. We will not get caught up in this delirium,” Dendias said.