Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan addresses military status of Greek islands

On September 16, 2026, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, while visiting Damascus, urged Greece to adhere to international treaties regarding the demilitarized status of certain islands. Fidan characterized the ongoing armament of these islands as a direct threat to Turkish national security and explicitly stated that Ankara has expressed these sensitivities to the Greek side.

Fidan further claimed that Greek politics are historically characterized by an anti-Turkish stance. He cautioned Athens against becoming a pawn for actors aiming to destabilize the region or inciting chaos, emphasizing that Turkey desires good neighborly relations while simultaneously warning that both nations must avoid miscalculations regarding regional security matters.

This rhetoric reflects a long-standing point of contention between the two nations regarding the sovereignty and defense capabilities of islands in the Aegean. Turkey maintains that the armament violates existing international agreements, while Greece asserts its right to self-defense under the UN Charter, citing regional threats. The statements from Damascus underscore the persistence of these tensions, though no specific new diplomatic escalation or immediate court action was announced following these comments.