Devlet Bahceli issues warning to Greece regarding military alliances and regional projects

On October 13, 2026, the chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and Turkish government partner, Devlet Bahceli, issued a series of provocative statements targeting Greece during his parliamentary group meeting. Bahceli asserted that Greece cannot ensure its security regardless of any military alliances it forms or arms it procures, suggesting that Athens should learn from history.

His remarks specifically addressed Greece's deepening diplomatic and defense ties with Israel, as well as the proposed electrical interconnection project between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel. Bahceli claimed that this project, supported by international actors including the U.S. Secretary of State, continues to fuel disputes over maritime zones. He further argued that Greece's pursuit of such cooperation fails to resolve regional tensions and warned that Turkey would not be intimidated by Greek armaments.

These comments highlight the ongoing geopolitical friction in the Eastern Mediterranean, reflecting Turkey's opposition to current maritime and energy initiatives in the region. The rhetoric serves as a continuation of established Turkish political posture regarding the recognition of Turkish rights and the status of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, maintaining a state of diplomatic sensitivity between the two neighboring nations.