'The country that is exploiting the migration issue [to serve its interests] and is imperiling thousands of human lives, now goes as far as to even accuse Athens of crimes against humanity,' the Greek FM said.
'This is a Turkish map. You see where the dividing line is and you see that Crete is also coloured red [as Turkish territory]. Now, if Turkey starts from that point of view, how can we ever have a good understanding with Turkey?'
Ankara has for years challenged and has attempted to encroach on Athens’ search-and-rescue area on the ground but never in such a formal and sweeping manner.
Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy dismissed the suggestion that the plane carrying Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias had been deliberately held up as a provocation to Athens.
Some have attributed Turkey’s moves to Erdogan's need to divert attention from Turkey's economic crisis and setbacks in Syria and Libya, but they are in line with Ankara’s long-term strategy.
Noting measures that the Greek government has taken the foreign minister referred to the relocation of refugees and migrants from the five Aegean islands were they arrive and are concentrated – Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Kos, and Leros - to the mainland.
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