Bahçeli says Greece cannot feel safe whatever alliances it forms, citing Israel ties
Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) and a government partner of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, told his parliamentary group that Greece cannot feel safe whatever alliances, agreements or weapons it acquires. He also targeted the planned Greece-Cyprus-Israel electricity interconnector and Athens' defence cooperation with Israel.
The parliamentary speech
On Tuesday, 13 October, Devlet Bahçeli addressed the parliamentary group of his party, the Nationalist Action Party (MHP), which is a government partner of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Speaking ahead of the debate in the Turkish parliament on the Mecca Agreement, he said Greece cannot feel safe for as long as it does not recognise Turkey's rights and the sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriot state. He said this would hold whatever alliances Greece forms, whatever agreements it signs and whatever weapons systems it acquires. The Mecca Agreement, which the sources describe as a mutual support pact between Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, was to be discussed in the Turkish plenary that day.
Israel and the Cyprus link
Bahçeli argued that the Greek government wrongly believes closer ties with Israel will make it stronger and safer. He said Israel would not be able to protect Greece if Turkey objected to what he described as violations of its rights in maritime zones. He said the planned electricity interconnector linking Greece, Cyprus and Israel had revived disputes over maritime zones. He cited support for the project expressed by the US Secretary of State, along with Athens' efforts to resume seabed surveys, as evidence that the issue had an international dimension. He warned that it would be a serious mistake for Athens to think it could bypass Ankara's objections by securing the backing of third countries, since Turkey holds that prior coordination is required on the cable's route.
Arms, neighbours and the Houthis
Bahçeli also addressed Greece's defence procurement, saying that if Greece was arming to intimidate Turkey, no force could intimidate Turkey. He told Greece that lasting peace in the region runs through building friendly relations with its neighbours. Turning to the Mecca Agreement, he urged the Turkish government to provide military assistance to Riyadh, which is under Houthi fire. He also referred to Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and to Israeli policy in the Middle East. In an indirect reference to the Asia Minor Catastrophe, he said Greece must learn lessons from history.
Other remarks
Bahçeli said he was certain the process toward a 'Turkey without terrorism' would be completed despite the reactions it provokes. He said Turkey faces efforts to weaken it. His remarks were made in the weekly meeting of the MHP parliamentary group, according to the sources.
