High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas has condemned recent inflammatory statements by the Turkish Defence Minister, reaffirming the EU's collective commitment to defend its Member States against any threat. In a written answer to a parliamentary question from MEP Emmanouil Kefalogiannis (EPP), Kallas stressed that the EU expects Türkiye to make an unequivocal commitment to good neighbourly relations, international agreements, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. The answer, published on 20 July 2026, directly addresses the Turkish minister's claims of rights in the Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean, and Cyprus, which Kallas described as undermining regional stability and international law.
Kallas's response comes after Kefalogiannis's question highlighted Türkiye's continued casus belli against Greece and its revisionist policy. The High Representative noted that the 2025 enlargement report on Türkiye already flagged the possible extension of Greek territorial waters to 12 nautical miles as a strain on relations, and that the 1995 Turkish parliamentary declaration of casus belli still holds. The answer does not propose new sanctions or concrete measures, instead reiterating existing EU positions: that Türkiye must abstain from unilateral actions violating international law and the sovereignty of Member States. The EU's stance is a reaffirmation of its principles rather than a shift in policy, with no specific timeline or enforcement mechanism mentioned. The response impacts EU-Türkiye relations, Greek and Cypriot security interests, and the credibility of the EU's enlargement framework, while offering no immediate relief to Athens or Nicosia beyond diplomatic solidarity.