VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Relations between the two neighboring countries, namely Greece and Turkey, have recently deteriorated. The leaders of the two countries even began to discuss the deployment of troops to face each other.

Facing Turkey's military might, Greece said it would strengthen its military with new weapons, increasing troops and developing its defense industry. Greece also mentioned France, which it said would cooperate. As stated by government spokesman, Stelios Petsas, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will announce plans to increase the country’s military strength in his annual economic address this weekend. Greek mass media reported that the Greek government is likely to buy French fighter jets, Rafale, and a frigate.

Greece's tension with Turkey was triggered by a dispute over the boundary of the East Mediterranean Sea which has a lot of hydro-carbon content.

The Turkish government carried out military maneuvers in the disputed region and issued a tense discourse following an agreement between Greece and Egypt over the East Mediterranean. The European Union, as said by its Secretary General Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen, will try to help overcome tensions between the two countries that are members of the European Union.

From an economic point of view, the discourse of fighting against Turkey is likely to further aggravate Greece's economic conditions. Apart from experiencing the burden of having to strengthen the economy, the Greek government is also trying to overcome various problems due to the Corona pandemic. This condition also seems to be used by Turkey to pressure Greece to enter into negotiations.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has previously warned Greece to discuss resolving territorial disputes in the East Mediterranean region.

In fact, it is still open for the two governments to hold talks and find a solution. It is hoped that the two countries will not repeat history. At the beginning of the 20th century, after the first world war, the two of them fought with each other's strengths. This cannot be repeated. Because war everywhere always costs lives, including innocent people, and property. Something no one wants.