DISPUTE WITH TURKEY

Greece to ask for NATO support

Greece will seek support from NATO at an alliance summit in London this week following a military deal signed by Turkey and Libya’s UN-recognised government, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Sunday.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with the head of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), Prime Minister Fayed al-Sarraj, on Wednesday to sign agreements on security and military cooperation, as well as maritime jurisdictions.

The agreements have also raised hackles in Egypt and Cyprus, according to the UN’s Libya envoy Ghassan Salame.

“An alliance cannot remain indifferent when one of its members openly violates international law and aims (to harm) another member,” Mitsotakis said in a speech to his New Democracy party on Sunday.

Greece last week expressed its dissatisfaction with the accord and summoned the ambassadors of Turkey and Libya in Greece to ask for information on its content. Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias on Sunday met his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Choukry in Cairo to discuss the matter.

The deal comes despite calls from the Arab League—which includes Libya—to end cooperation with Turkey in protest of its military offensive against Kurdish forces in Syria last month. Libya has been mired in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

 

DISPUTE WITH TURKEY

Greece to ask for NATO support

Greece will seek support from NATO at an alliance summit in London this week following a military deal signed by Turkey and Libyas UN-recognised government, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Sunday. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with the head of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), Prime Minister Fayed al-Sarraj, on Wednesday to sign agreements on security and military cooperation, as well as maritime jurisdictions. The agreements have also raised hackles in Egypt and Cyprus, according to the UNs Libya envoy Ghassan Salame. An alliance cannot remain indifferent when one of its members openly violates international law and aims (to harm) another member, Mitsotakis said in a speech to his New Democracy party on Sunday. Greece last week expressed its dissatisfaction with the accord and summoned the ambassadors of Turkey and Libya in Greece to ask for information on its content. Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias on Sunday met his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Choukry in Cairo to discuss the matter. The deal comes despite calls from the Arab Leaguewhich includes Libyato end cooperation with Turkey in protest of its military offensive against Kurdish forces in Syria last month. Libya has been mired in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.