ANKARA – Continuing belligerent talk with the same accusations, Turkey has once against said the tension between the countries and disputes over the seas between them is all Greece’s fault and affecting stability and peace in the region.

This time it came from Turkey’s National Security Council although President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has the last word on everything in the country, where other officials have similarly attacked Greece.

In a written statement, the council said: “Powers that encourage Greece to take further steps and support its stance in violation of international law and good neighborly relations are invited to take a position toward peace and justice through leaving aside these approaches that could endanger the peace of the region.”

It was reported by Turkey’s pro-government newspaper The Daily Sabah which is a propaganda mouthpiece for Erdogan, who has jailed dozens of independent media journalists to try to squash any criticism of his authoritarian government.

The council said Greece is envious over Turkey’s role in the region and that Greece should demilitarize islands near Turkey’s coast, citing the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne that Turkey doesn’t recognize.

Turkey is also upset that Greece, in response to Turkey buying a Russian-made S-400 missile system, made deals to buy French fighter jets and warships – which led Turkey to make an arms deal with Spain, an alleged European Union ally of Greece.

The statements by the National Security Council come after tensions have recently increased once again between the two Mediterranean countries.

Turkey and Greece earlier this year had a 62nd round of diplomatic talks that went nowhere and wound up to be essentially a chit-chat that continued years of failed negotiations about differences between them.

While claiming to prefer diplomacy, Turkish officials have repeatedly ramped up belligerent talk and warned of war unless Greece accedes to Turkish demands in a number of areas.