Greece said Tuesday it had launched a protest over a recent increase in air and sea violations by Turkey, saying such actions threatened Ankara's efforts to open European Union entry talks. "There has been indeed an increase of violations and...such behaviour is not unknown," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Giorgos Koumoutsakos. "We have made verbal complaints in Athens and Ankara." While both the foreign and Defence ministries have refused to issue details, reports have said the violations include Turkish warships sailing in Greek waters near a disputed area of the Aegean Sea, and Turkish fighter jets flying into Greek airspace. "These incidents trouble us," Koumoutsakos said. "We do not shut our eyes, and the incidents of the past days will be dealt with according to our plans as deemed necessary." In December, the European Union will vote whether to start accession talks with candidate country Turkey. "I would like to remind that the European Commission report has a reference saying that the foreign behaviour of Turkey with neighbouring states will be taken into consideration," the foreign ministry spokesperson said.
