Turkish Ambassador makes explanation over Edogan’s “expansionism” statement

TBILISI - Levent Gümrükçü, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkey to Georgia, commented about the information, released by Greek media, that several days ago, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated in Rize University that according to some Turkish historians in 1920 the borders of Turkey included Cyprus, Aleppo, Mosul, Erbil, Kirkuk, Batumi, Thessaloniki and other areas.

“Erdogan has apparently suffered a megalomania attack, fell in delirium and claimed to expand Turkey’s borders to Greece’s Thrace, Thessaloniki, Aegean islands and the whole of Cyprus. But he claimed as well a bit from Bulgaria, Georgia, Syria and a large portion of Iraq,” Greek  news agency, ‘Keep Talking Greece’ informs.

Levent Gümrükçü explained there was a “misunderstanding” about Erdogan’s speech in Rize.

“The President's speech reflected the very close relationship between the peoples of the region - peoples who have lived side by side for centuries. He also highlighted the social and cultural similarities,” the ambassador stated.

According to him, for 25 years Georgia and Turkey have had the best relations towards all directions.

“Among the neighbors of Georgia, Turkey is the only country which does not have questions regarding borders. Batumi is Georgia and Rize is Turkey and it will always be this way,” explained Gümrükçü.

The Greek media reported on Monday that Erdogan was “in a visible bad mood” against Turkey’s neighbors in all directions from North to South and from East to the West and decided to challenge them clearly pointing at unprecedented expansionist aspirations. 

Moreover, Athens News Agency (ANA) wrote that Erdogan called for a referendum in Western Thrace, the north-east part of Greece with a strong Muslim population.

“Erdogan cited some historians, Turkish of course, who believe that the borders of the National Oath also included Cyprus, Aleppo [Syria], Mosul, Arbil and, Kirkuk [Iraq], in Batum [Georgia], Kardzhali, Varna [Bulgaria], Thessaloniki and the Aegean islands,” ANA stated.

However, later the ANA withdrew the original report and published a correction saying that Erdogan did not mention a “referendum in Thrace.” ANA said it was a mistake by its correspondent in Turkey, who had been fired after releasing incorrect information.

However, the agency claims that Erdogan really said that “the borders of Turkey included Cyprus, Aleppo, Mosul, Erbil, Kirkuk, Batumi, Thessaloniki and other areas.”

According to the ‘Keep Talking Greece’, Greek Foreign Ministry issued a statement describing Erdogan’s agitation as “dangerous” saying it undermined the regional stability.

Photo: Levent Gümrükçü, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkey to Georgia

Source: yenisafak.com

By Thea Morrison