DUBAI — "At the moment, Turkey is acting as a troublemaker in the region and this observation is not confined to Greek-Turkish relations," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday in an interview with Sky News Arabia, during his stay in the United Arab Emirates.

The prime minister said that Greece's neighbour has engaged in very provocative behaviour in recent years and noted that he, since taking office, has extended a hand of friendship many times, asking Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to work together in a spirit of cooperation to resolve issues that arise between Greece and Turkey.

"See what is happening with Cyprus, in Libya, in the Caucasus. There does not seem to be a common understanding with Turkey on important, strategic priorities. And this is not just an observation on the part of Greece. Many other countries in the region seem to share the same view on Turkey's role as a troublemaker in the region," he added.

Regarding the EU's stance on Turkish provocation in the Eastern Mediterranean, the prime minister stressed that European leaders made it clear to the neighbouring country that there are two options, either cooperation or the other option, which will lead to strained relations between Turkey and the European Union and inevitably to consequences for Turkey.