Greece will strengthen its army with new weapons programs, by strengthening military personnel and developing the country's defense industry, a government spokesman said today, given that tensions with neighboring Turkey have led to concerns about an open conflict between the two NATO members.
Ankara is at loggerheads with Greece and Cyprus over oil and gas exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean, where Greece and Turkey have deployed naval and air forces.
"Turkish leaders threaten war almost every day and make provocative statements against Greece. We respond with political, diplomatic and operational readiness, determined to do whatever it takes to protect our sovereign rights," said Greek government spokesman Stelios Pecas.
According to him, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will announce on Saturday the details of the plan to improve the army.
"We are in contact with friendly countries to strengthen our armed forces," Pecas said.
Greece secured 2,5 billion euros in bonds last Sunday as the country looks to boost military spending and raise funds for businesses hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the Greek media, Greece could acquire French Rafale fighters and at least one French frigate.
Pecas announced that Mitsotakis will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday on the sidelines of a meeting of EU Mediterranean countries in Corsica.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Greece on Saturday to start talks on disputed parts of the Eastern Mediterranean or face the consequences.
The head of Greek diplomacy, Nikos Dendias, said today that Turkey is the only country in the region that threatens its neighbors with war, adding that Greece is "always ready for dialogue with Turkey, but dialogue based on international law."
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