Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) spokesperson Ömer Çelik has warned Greece to be careful against “bad jokes” after Greek Defense Minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos said last week that Athens was ready for “military conflict with Turkey.”
“Do not make such bad jokes, this type of joke will stick on your forehead,” Çelik said on June 8 following a meeting of the AKP’s central executive committee.
“Greece has been continuously making statements which are increasing the tension. Greek Defense Minister has said that they are ready for a war with Turkey to protect their rights. Turkey is a state of law, not a tribal state. It does not have ministers speaking like it’s a tribal state. It is Turkey’s priority was to stay within law, to protect its rights and interests within the scope of the law,” Çelik said
The AKP spokesman said that the Turkish army is one of the most world’s most powerful military forces, adding: “The military’s determination and power to protect Turkey’s national interests is not up for discussion, and everyone knows it.”