High-level military visits between Greece and Turkey are proceeding as usual under Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs), despite an expected rise in violations over the Aegean Sea.

From April 3 to April 9, Turkey is conducting its major naval and air exercise, “Blue Homeland” (Mavi Vatan), involving 120 ships, 50 aircraft, and 15,000 personnel.

According to Greece’s General Staff (GEETHA), on April 7 alone, 15 violations of Greek National Airspace were recorded by Turkish naval cooperation aircraft CN-235, ATR-72, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Given the scale of the exercise, some violations were anticipated.

The exercise is officially declared under CBMs by both Athens and Ankara and is not subject to the moratorium, as it is scheduled to conclude before Good Friday, a religious holiday in Greece.

Meanwhile, Greek Fleet Commander Christos Sasiakos visited the Turkish Fleet headquarters in Golcuk on March 31 and April 1, meeting his Turkish counterpart Kadir Yildiz. Such high-level contacts have never ceased.

Notably, Greek Brigadier General Alexandros Koufopoulos, head of Greek forces in Kosovo, visited NATO KFOR headquarters in Pristina and was received by Turkish Brigadier General Ezkan Ulutas. Turkey commands NATO forces in Kosovo and contributes the largest contingent there.

Behind the scenes, Ankara continues to protest the deployment of Greek Patriot missile systems on Eastern Aegean islands and their use in NATO operations protecting Bulgaria. NATO, however, avoids engaging in discussions on this issue.

Source: Ekathimerini.com