No: 338, 2 November 2017, Press Release regarding the joint military exercise by Greece and Egypt on the island of Rhodes

It has been learned from our military authorities that Greece and Egypt are conducting a joint amphibious assault exercise between October 30th-November 4th on the island of Rhodes.

The 1947 Paris Peace Treaty prohibits all types of military training activities on Rhodes Island, which was ceded to Greece by Italy on the condition that it would be and remain demilitarized. Therefore, the above-mentioned military training on the island is a clear violation of international law.

Our warning regarding the said exercise has already been communicated to the Embassy of Greece in Ankara, reminding the Embassy of the importance of refraining from unilateral acts that might increase tensions in the Aegean.

In this regard, we emphasize our expectation from Greece, as a neighboring country, to refrain from such hostile acts that are at the same time contrary to international law. We also call on third parties not to take part in those violations committed by Greece.