The war of words and the war of images between Greece and neighboring Turkey escalated this week, with the mass influx of immigrants to the borders of Greece, after Ankara opened its doors for them. Among the accusations and denials, the auctions on both sides of the border have not subsided, and have included the highest officials of the two countries, since Turkey, on February 28, made the decision to open its doors to thousands of migrants wishing to reach Europe.
While thousands of people were rushing to the land borders separated by the Evros River, hoping to enter the European Union, Athens strengthened its response on the ground, giving up its diplomatic rhetoric against the backdrop of old rivalries. Ankara responded, by posting videos, accusing Athena of shooting migrants.
On his departure from last Sunday's crisis meeting, Greek government spokesman Stelios Pestas announced that the migration movement "is managed and encouraged by Turkey."
"Instead of Turkey shrinking smuggling networks for migrants and refugees, it has turned itself into a smuggler," he added.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis accused Ankara of having "encouraged and assisted" migrants with "illegal" entry into Greece.
On the part of the Turks, Turkish Vice President Fuad Aktay saw on Wednesday, "There is only one word to describe the mentality of those who fire live bullets at the oppressed who rush to their doors, drown their boats and suffocate their children with tear gas: brutality."
Greece denied this, saying: "The Greek forces did not fire any bullets against any person who tried to enter illegally into Greece."
A Turkish video, which could not be verified, was released by Turkish media, showing the Greek Coast Guard, as they were trying to puncture a rubber boat with migrants on board, and they were warning shots next to the boat.
On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that the Greeks "resorted to all means, to prevent migrants from entering their lands, and reached the point of being dumped, or killed by live bullets."
Bids from both sides of the Turkish and Greek borders have not subsided ... and included the highest officials in the two countries.