\n<\/p>\n
Fidan made the remarks in a television interview as Ankara once again raised its objections to the military presence on Greek islands that Turkey considers subject to demilitarisation provisions.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur Armed Forces are in an extremely sensitive state. Our Coast Guard Command is also in an extremely sensitive state,\u201d Fidan said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope no one there will take any reckless action. We hope they will do what peace and calm require.\u201d<\/p>\n
He then issued a more direct warning to Athens.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf they go further and attempt reckless actions, then the power of this state [Turkey] is known to everyone,\u201d Fidan said.<\/p>\n
Fidan reiterated Ankara\u2019s longstanding position that Turkey does not accept the militarisation of Greek islands that it says have a demilitarised status.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do not accept at all the militarisation of islands with a demilitarised status,\u201d he said, adding that Turkey was pursuing the issue through what he described as \u201ccareful and persistent\u201d diplomatic efforts.<\/p>\n
Fidan also suggested that Ankara sometimes chooses not to make its actions public.<\/p>\n
\u201cPublicising certain things can create more problems for Greece than for us,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Turkey has repeatedly argued that Greece is violating international treaty obligations through its military presence on certain Aegean islands. Athens rejects Turkey\u2019s interpretation of the issue and maintains that its sovereign rights and security cannot be subject to Turkish demands.<\/p>\n
Fidan also connected Greece\u2019s position to domestic politics, arguing that political rhetoric could intensify as the country moves towards an election period.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn Greece, politicians insist on this stance. And now we see that they are moving toward a pre-election climate. This language will be used a little more from now on,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He added that Ankara would focus on what Greece does in practice rather than only its political statements.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe, however, to a certain extent, look at what happens in practice,\u201d Fidan said.<\/p>\n
His comments come amid a series of increasingly pointed statements from both sides over the Aegean, Greek territorial rights and the military status of the islands.<\/p>\n
Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis has repeatedly said Athens wants to avoid uncontrolled escalation while maintaining Greece\u2019s sovereign rights.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, Gerapetritis said Greece had prepared scenarios for any increase in pressure and was ready to respond if necessary, while stressing that dialogue with Turkey should remain open.<\/p>\n
Gerapetritis has also stated that Greece does not accept negotiations over questions of sovereignty and considers the delimitation of the continental shelf and Exclusive Economic Zone as the dispute that could potentially be referred to international judicial proceedings.<\/p>\n
The latest exchange adds to a period of heightened rhetoric between Athens and Ankara, although both governments continue to maintain diplomatic channels.<\/p>\n
Source:<\/strong> Tovima, Anadolu Agency. <\/p>\n