Greek–Turkish relations

Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu has said Turkey could send 15,000 refugees to Europe to shock the Europeans following a recent diplomatic crisis between Ankara and Germany and the Netherlands, according to HürriyetDaily News.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened on Thursday to scrap a deal with the European Union to readmit migrants who have crossed illegally into Europe, amid a standoff with European nations over their reluctance to allow Turkish ministers to hold campaign rallies in their countries.

Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias stressed the important role Greece can play as a pillar of stability in a volatile region and its prospects as a regional energy hub in his meeting on Monday with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in Washington.

Greece’s major opposition party New Democracy (ND) harshly criticised the Turkish Foreign Ministry for its unacceptable and demeaning statement against Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos. “The unacceptable statement and the unfounded claims that accompany it reveal irritation and and intention to create tensions”, ND said.

Responding to a spike in Turkish provocations and incendiary comments, Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos reiterated on Monday that there are no "gray zones" in the Aegean Sea, adding that any claims from Ankara pose a threat not just to Greek sovereignty, but also to that of the European Union.

Turkish authorities have lodged two official requests, one via Interpol and one to Greek Police and diplomatic authorities, seeking the deportation of two Turkish soldiers, it has emerged.

The two men's names are on Ankara's list of commandos alleged to have been tasked with killing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the night of the attempted coup last July.

German news outlet Spiegel reports on an increasing number of Turkish nationals seeking refuge in Greece for fear of persecution by the Erdogan regime in Turkey. The article focuses on the cases of the two Turkish soldiers, who were members of a special unit allegedly involved in plans to assassinate Turlish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the night of the failed military coup on July 15.

There is a series of serious statements that indicate a further deterioration in the Greek-Turkish relations. Here is what has happened:

More than 130 Turkish diplomatic passport holders, soldiers and their family members have sought refuge in Germany since the July 15, 2016 failed coup attempt, according to German government data in documents seen by Agence France-Presse on Feb. 24.

Two Turkish F-16 fighter jets violated Greek national air space, Monday. The armed jets entered into the north-eastern Aegean area and were immediately intercepted by the Greek air force as per international rules of engagement, according to Greek Pentagon sources. The two jets also infringed the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR).