Extensive reports and analyses in the Turkish media on Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s visit to Kastellorizo
September 14, 2026
The coverage of Mitsotakis’s visit to Kastellorizo by the Turkish media was extensive, according to what Manolis Kostidis reports from Istanbul.
In an article in Milliyet, the newspaper’s director notes that “Turkey does not prioritize the use of force against Greece – It is Israel that wants to provoke a Greek-Turkish war.”
Özay Şendir writes: “Turkey has no reason to fear war with Greece. The Turkish Armed Forces have more than enough power to act if they receive such an order. There is also nothing to fear regarding the military alliances Greece has formed.
[…], Turkey does not prioritize the use of force against Greece. Do not pay attention to the conspiracy theories circulating on social media or the summaries of studio commentary. Turkey wishes to resolve its problems with Greece through negotiations.
Ankara’s stance can be summarized as follows: even if war breaks out, the outcome will be determined through negotiations. Since we are going to negotiate anyway, it is better to do so without war.
Unless a fait accompli occurs in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey will not be the first to attack, and everyone already knows what it will do if attacked.
We are aware of Israel’s efforts to distract and exhaust Ankara by provoking a war between Greece and Turkey, and Athens must also be aware of this.”
Sözcü: “Greece militarized 23 islands with Israeli weapons”
“Greece provokes, Turkey only limits itself to condemnations” – “Mitsotakis went to Kastellorizo and inspected a military base on the island that hears us when we shout,” writes the Turkish newspaper.
Turkish Media: Why did Mitsotakis go to Kastellorizo, when it should be demilitarized
A HABER presenter: “Now, why did Mitsotakis go to Kastellorizo? While we have been discussing Kastellorizo for so long… Professor Uğur, let me address you. That is, now, along with the marine park that we declared in that area, last week we also issued a NAVTEX. The research vessel TÜBİTAK Marmara is conducting research there.
» Why did he go to this island today? Next he will also go to Karaada (Ro) and Çamlıada (Strongyli), which are very close by. Kastellorizo is right in the middle. We will see shortly. Why is he giving this image? First of all, why are there soldiers on Kastellorizo? According to its status, there should not be soldiers there.”
CNN Türk: “Mitsotakis went to Kastellorizo with soldiers on islands that should be demilitarized” – “The sound of weapons impressed the Turks”
CNN TÜRK presenter: “Well, Kastellorizo, right across from Kaş in Antalya. As you know, it is only two kilometers from Turkey, very close. These images were recorded on Kastellorizo and Mitsotakis is on Kastellorizo together with soldiers. These are soldiers now. You know, we say that the islands should not be militarized.
– But are those behind armed?
– Well, anyway, on one side…
– And this one is a soldier too.
– Are they heavily armed? Is there heavy weaponry?
– There is, there is, he has a weapon in his hand.
– Okay, yes, he has it in his hand. Well, okay. On the one hand, when a prime minister goes there, the necessary measures are certainly taken. That is, there may also be such armed elements, that is another matter. But, on the other hand, as you know, there is also the situation that has prevailed for years, with the militarization of the islands, which is completely contrary to international law. Today, then, it was ‘Kastellorizo.’ There, these are the images. What did he say? He made statements. We ask: ‘What is Greece seeking?'”
Source: www.skai.gr
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