Davutoglu said his government would consider a defense budget cut should
Athens end its military operations against Ankara. He referred to Hellenic
Air Force missions that sought to intercept Turkish warplanes that flew over
the Aegean.
"Turkey will not take a unilateral step on the 12 mile issue,"
Davutoglu, referring to Greek border demands, said in the Aug. 31 interview.
In 1995, Greece announced its claim to Aegean waters 12 miles, or about
20 kilometers, from shore. Turkey has refused to recognize this and warned
that it would resist any Greek attempt to control Aegean waters.
Officials said Greece and Turkey have been discussing military relations
and the prospect of a mutual defense budget cut. They said the discussions
included a resolution of the long border dispute between the two countries.
The Erdogan government has sought to reduce tension with Greece. In
August, the National Security Council drafted its security review that no
longer regarded Greece as an immediate threat. Iran, Iraq and Russia were
also taken off the proposed national security threat list.
The so-called National Security Document, which reviews Turkey's
strategic posture, has been drafted by the government, intelligence
community and military. Officials said the security review, the first since
2005, could be released by 2011.
But Davutoglu suggested that a final decision on the security threat
list would depend on Greek policy. The foreign minister said the government
has been consulting with the military and reached agreement on the terms of
a change in policy.
"We implement one foreign policy, not two," Davutoglu said.
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