Turkish Defence Minister

'Imia is a milestone. After that, there is no prospect of them [the Greeks] making a move. Wherever it leads, let us die, let us become martyrs, we are veterans. It is that simple,” Turkey's defence minister declared.

'We are decisive, persistent, and capable of protecting both our own rights and interests and those of the TRNC (the occupation regime in Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus) in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean,' Akar said.

Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said linking the S-400s purchase with that of the F-35s is “another hurdle” and noted that nine NATO partners have a stake.

There will be a meeting of the Greek, Turkish technical teams at which actions in the framework of the confidence-building measures will be discussed.

Apostolakis said that the two countries’ lonstanding defence cooperation is constantly increasing, and that from now on it will be much more effective.

 Turkey has often made clear that its perceived interests include the territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of its two neighbours.

The war of words between the two countries began when outgoing foreign minister Nikos Kotzias announced that Greece will issue a presidential decree exercising its right under international law to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles in the Ionian Sea.