NATO Urges Turkey, Greece To Resolve Disagreements

NATO's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has urged Turkey and Greece to resolve their disagreements over the Aegean Sea, where the two are at loggerheads over islands and airspace.

The Daily Sabah on Wednesday reports Stoltenberg as saying; "Diverse views and debate are an essential part of our democracies.

"We urge Greece and Turkey to solve their differences in the Aegean in a spirit of trust and Allied solidarity.

"That means restraint and moderation, and refraining from any actions or rhetoric that could escalate the situation."

Stoltenberg's comments came two weeks after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared that Turkey would no longer participate in regular high-level meetings with Greek leaders.

Erdoğan last week also warned Greece to demilitarize its Aegean islands.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis responded that he would not engage in a "ping-pong" of personal insults with Erdoğan.

The two countries have long been at odds over several issues including maritime boundaries, airspace, energy, and the status of the islands in the Aegean Sea and migrants.