The Turkish opposition is ramping up its criticism of the Erdoğan government, accusing it of isolating the country from developments in the Middle East.
According to the opposition, the lack of strategic diplomatic relations has strengthened Greece’s alliance with the Anglo-Saxon axis, giving Greece the role of an increasingly influential geopolitical player in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Namık Tan, head of foreign policy for the Republican People’s Party (CHP), cited as an example of Turkey’s isolation a recent flight by a Canadian C-17A Globemaster transport aircraft, which crossed Greek airspace on its route from Sofia to Rhodes.
“A C-17A Globemaster transport aircraft of the Canadian Air Force is flying between Sofia and Rhodes. It will shortly be landing in Rhodes. In previous years, we never saw such flight routes. The reason for this Canadian military transport flight between Sofia and Rhodes is likely due to developments in the Middle East. Canada, along with many other NATO members and non-NATO countries, like Australia, has been using Greek airports as supply bases for their military flights over the past year. Despite İncirlik being the most well-equipped NATO base in the region in every respect, countries conducting operations in the Middle East are making efforts to avoid using Turkish bases for political reasons,” Tan stated.
Expressing his disappointment over the weakening of Turkish influence, he remarked pointedly:
“We continue to watch Greek authorities enjoy our exclusion from the Western world.”
