Türkiye warns Rhodes drone base would harm Aegean peace
Aegean tensions have flared following Türkiye’s warning that Greece’s proposal to establish a drone base on Rhodes violates international demilitarization agreements and threatens regional stability.
“The demilitarized status of Rhodes Island is clearly and bindingly regulated by international treaties. Any attempt to violate this status is incompatible with Greece’s obligations under international law,” Defense Ministry sources told reporters at a weekly briefing on Aug. 27.
The legal status of the Aegean islands with non-military status is regulated by the 1923 Lausanne and 1947 Paris Peace Treaties. Türkiye has long been criticizing Greece for pursuing an aggressive armament campaign on these islands and calling on Athens to cease arming these islands.
“In this context, it is clear that any potential step toward establishing a drone base on Rhodes would constitute a violation of the island’s non-military status and would harm peace and stability in the Aegean, as well as good neighborly relations,” the sources said.
