Maneuvering over the Aegean Sea: Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' helicopter had to turn off because of a Turkish bomber, according to Greek sources. In Turkey, there was talk of a "routine mission", Tsipras spoke on Greek television ERT of a "stupid action".
The Greek Prime Minister claimed to be on his way to the small Greek island of Agathonisi when his pilot's helicopter had to change altitude and fly lower because of the dangerous movements of the Turkish bombers. "These stupid actions have no meaning - only fuel is wasted," said Tsipras. He wanted to participate on the Aegean island at a memorial service for the uprising of 1821 against the rule of the Ottoman Empire.
For years dispute over overflight rights
For decades, the two neighboring countries have been fighting over islands off the Turkish coast. Turkey has declared many Greeks inhabited but also uninhabited islands to the so-called "gray zones" - their status is unclear and must be clarified. Turkish bombers overfly the disputed regions daily; it comes to "dogfights", fictitious fights, and accidents between the planes of both countries. Something worse could be averted in recent years, in part, only at the last minute.
There is always tension between the NATO partners Turkey and Greece - especially with regard to overflight rights. Tsipras had met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara only in February - then both had declared that they wanted to find ways to relax.