Greece's military strengthening on the islands triggers concerns for Turkey
In a move aimed at boosting military decentralization and operational autonomy, Greece has announced plans to deploy self-sufficient army units on demilitarized Aegean islands by 2028. These units will be logistically independent, capable of producing food, desalinating water, and generating solar power, and equipped with modern technologies [1].
The plan, part of a broader military reform initiative known as "Agenda 2030", is designed to enhance resilience against potential conflicts, particularly involving Turkey. The strategy is reminiscent of lessons learned from Ukraine's war [1]. However, the implications of this move are far-reaching, as it significantly shifts Greece's defense posture towards emphasizing island defense against any Turkish aggression.
This shift has raised concerns among Turkish officials and defense experts, who view the deployment as a provocative violation of international treaties. The 1923 Treaty of Lausanne and the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty, which granted Greece sovereignty over 23 islands, mandate that they remain non-military in status [2].
Retired Rear Adm. Cihat Yaycı, a prominent architect of Turkey's maritime doctrine, has labelled the plan a "clear violation of international law" and a "new manifestation of Greece's lawless approach" [3]. Yaycı suggests that the Greek plan is not just a defense upgrade but part of a larger effort to undermine the non-military status of the islands [3].
Murat Aslan, a security analyst, shares similar concerns, stating that the concept of "autonomous army units" poses a serious risk to Turkey's regional security [4]. Aslan argues that the Greek plan fits a larger pattern of provocations, referencing recent military exercises involving amphibious landings on Turkey's western coast [4].
If Greece were to proceed with the militarization of these islands, it could lead to legal challenges against Greek sovereignty, exacerbating already fragile bilateral relations and increasing the risk of military escalation and destabilization in the Eastern Mediterranean [2][3][4]. Turkey is likely to condemn the move strongly, citing treaty violations, and could enhance its own military readiness or diplomatic pressure to counter Greece’s actions. The plan could prompt Turkey to intensify regional military exercises or assert its maritime claims more forcefully, risking heightened conflict dynamics between two NATO allies [2][3].
References:
[1] "Greece to Deploy Self-Sufficient Army Units on Aegean Islands". The National Herald. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
[2] "Greece's Aegean Island Defense Plan Sparks Controversy with Turkey". Defense News. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
[3] "Turkey Warns Greece Over Aegean Island Defense Plan". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
[4] "Greece's Aegean Island Defense Plan: A Threat to Regional Security?". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
- The Greek strategy to deploy self-sufficient army units on demilitarized Aegean islands by 2028, as part of the "Agenda 2030" military reform, could potentially lead to a challenge of the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne and 1947 Paris Peace Treaty, given the non-military status of these islands.
- The European world, closely following war-and-conflicts news, has observed an escalating tension between Greece and Turkey, with the former planning to equip islands with autonomous army units, raising concerns about a potential violation of international law.
- In the context of the world's politics, the Greek plan to strengthen its island defense against possible Turkish aggression has been perceived as a provocation that could not only intensify regional conflicts but also jeopardize two NATO allies' existing relationships, potentially leading to legal challenges and diplomatic disputes.
