Greece's defense minister on Friday referred to Turkey's coveted desire to begin European Union accession talks vis-a-vis a series of same-day airspace and territorial waters violations in the Aegean, including an incident where Turkish warplanes ventured into an activated firing range.

A total of six Turkish formations, 12 F-16 aircraft in all, infringed on Athens FIR regulations on seven instances, with 14 subsequent violations of Greek airspace recorded in the north and central Aegean. Additionally, a Turkish coast guard vessel again approached the tiny isle of Imia, in the eastern Aegean, for a third straight day.
Speaking from the northern city of Kastoria, Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos stressed that Greece's standing policy was to condemn such actions, "especially in light of Turkey's efforts for accession into the European Union".

In the most serious violation, one formation of Turkish F-16 fighter planes flew over the Andros firing range, located northeast of the Cyclades island in international waters. Two Hellenic Navy vessels were, in fact, were firing at targets within the range when the violations occurred. According to reports, the intruding warplanes flew at a height of 200 feet, coming within 200 meters of the surface vessels and interrupting the exercise.

In terms of the airspace violations, in three instances the interception process turned into an engagement between Greek fighter planes and intruding Turkish warplanes. In all instances, the Turkish warplanes were intercepted by Greek fighter planes.

Source: Athens News Agency

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