On the occasion of a press conference at the G20 summit in the Indonesian province of Bali, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan once again seized the opportunity to make a number of provocative statements, including direct threats of war against Greece.

In particular, the Turkish President accused Greece of overstepping the mark in its relations with Turkey and once more called for the demilitarisation of the eastern Aegean islands, arguing that they had no need of an armed presence. Moreover, he reiterated to the Greek authorities the threat recently proffered at the first meeting of the European Political Community that ‘we might suddenly come at night’.

Once again, Turkey is disregarding any notions of international legality and good neighbourly relations. along with European Parliament and Commission recommendations, and is indulging in extremely provocative rhetoric, questioning Greek sovereignty over the eastern Aegean islands and threatening stability and security in the region.

In view of this:

Can the Commission say how it intends to respond to these unacceptable statements by the Turkish President and what action it plans to take?

Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell i Fontelles on behalf of the European Commission