The Greek foreign ministry on Wednesday dismissed Turkish demands for a demilitarised zone on the small Aegean island of Aghios Efstratios, north of the larger Greek islands of Lesvos and Limnos, as "unacceptable and without basis".

Foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos said that the Greek side had briefed NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer on its views "with the conviction and certainty that it has watertight positions that are based on international law and international treaties, including the Treaty of Lausanne".

So far, there had been no official response from the Alliance to the briefing given by Greece's permanent representative to NATO Ioannis Zeppos, Koumoutsakos told reporters. He announced that further consultation with Scheffer would take place on this issue.

In response to other questions, the spokesman said that there was no official evidence confirming that a document sent to the NATO Secretary-General by Ankara.

Source: Athens News Agency

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