ATHENS – The head of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDS) General Konstantinos Floros highlighted Turkey's provocative actions and Greece's permanent readiness to mount an appropriate response, during a European Union Military Committee (EUMC) meeting.

The meeting was held on Wednesday via video conference at a Military Committee Conference in Chiefs of Defense Session (MC/CS) level.

In his speech, General Floros referred to the EU's "Irini" operation, Turkey's efforts to instrumentalise migration flows, its delinquent and provocative behavior in the Aegean and Cyprus, and the EU's actions to deal with it.

Specifically, the HNDS chief noted:

– his satisfaction with the launch of EU Operation "IRINI", stating that Greece will participate with personnel and means, and called for the support of all member states, given the vital importance of the Central and Eastern Mediterranean for the EU.

– his concern over the recent escalation of migration flows in Evros and the Aegean, as a result of the instrumentalisation of the phenomenon by Turkey, which aimed to exert pressure on Greece and Europe, thanking the EU institutions and all member states, which supported Greece both politically and operationally.

– Turkey's daily provocative behavior, emphasising the general danger of an accident and the serious consequences that this will bring. He also referred to his recent communication with NATO officials on the issue and the need for a change of attitude on Turkey's part, adding that Greece is at all times prepared to take appropriate actions against it.

– Greece's full and ongoing support of Cyprus, whose sovereign rights are systematically violated by Turkey.

– his full support for EU initiatives and actions aimed at a collective and coordinated response to a possible second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Finally, he referred to the Greek armed forces' successful response to the pandemic, which had kept their operational readiness and ability intact, as well as their assistance to the Greek national health system.