Turkey denies claim of Turkish jets harassing Greek PM’s helicopter

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras accused Turkey of being harassed by two Turkish F-4
fighter jets while he was heading to a Greek island in a helicopter for an independence day
celebration on Monday, state-run Greek news agency ANA-MPA reported.

Turkey denies Tsipras’ allegation, arguing that the jets were performing a routine mission
and not attempting to harass the prime minister, state-run news agency Anadolu reported,
quoting an official from Turkish security forces.

Tsipras claims his military helicopter was forced into “low maneuvers” as the Turkish jets
violated the Greek airspace. The Greek F-16 jets, therefore, responded to their counterparts
by intercepting them.

While delivering a speech on Agathonisi island – located in the eastern Aegean Sea, close to
the Turkish mainland – to mark the independence day celebration of the Greek uprising
against the Ottoman Empire, then Turkey, in 1821, Tsipras stated, “On the way here, I was
harassed by Turkish planes that forced the helicopter I was on to take evasive action, and for
what purpose?” He referred to the incident as “stupid and meaningless.”

“Greece is a force for peace and cooperation, this is the message I want to send to the
neighbors. They should know the Prime Minister will reach even the furthest island by
swimming, if necessary. We have open arms for dialogue and understanding, but, if
necessary, we will do what our forefathers did,” Tsipras said, referring to the Greeks’ fight
for independence against Ottoman Empire 198 years ago.

Territory-related conflicts in the Aegean Sea and airspace have always been on the agenda
between the two countries.

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from IPA NEWS https://ipa.news/2019/03/27/turkey-denies-claim-of-turkish-jets-harassing-greek-pms-helicopter/