Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday that he had informed his colleagues not to hold bilateral talks with Greece, the latest setback in relations since talks resumed last year to resolve their disputes in the Mediterranean after a five-year hiatus.
A German government spokesman said today that German Chancellor Olaf Schulz called on Turkey to show restraint towards Greece as tensions between the two countries escalate.
"The Chancellor believes that, given the current situation, it is necessary for all NATO members to stand together and stay away from provocations among themselves," the spokesman added at a press conference in Berlin.
"Breaking into Greek airspace and flying over the Greek islands is not acceptable, which seems to be counterproductive and contrary to the spirit of the alliance," he said.
Erdogan said last week that Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis "no longer exists" for him and accused the Greek leader of trying to block the sale of F-16s to Turkey during a visit to the United States.
Turkey and Greece, nato members, have long been at odds on issues including maritime borders and the extension of their respective continental shelf, as well as ethnically divided space and Cyprus issues.