Turkey has decided not to take part in a NATO exercise in Greece in May due to “provocations”, security sources said, citing Turkish media. Turkey has notified the host country of its decision on April 22, the Anatolian Agency reported.
The Tiger Meat military exercise is scheduled for May 9-20.
Turkey has withdrawn from the exercise after it became clear that Athens was exploiting its misunderstandings with Ankara and introducing changes to the technical requirements of the exercise, and Turkish demands were not accepted, the Anatolian Agency said.
Ankara called Athens’ actions unacceptable and contrary to international law:
“Greece’s position strikes at the heart of the exercises aimed at strengthening friendship and co-operation within NATO. In addition, there are attempts to violate Turkey’s rights and interests,” sources in Ankara said.
The Tiger Meat is a NATO initiative that seeks to promote solidarity between Allied air forces. The exercise is held annually in different countries. Turkey also hosted the maneuvers in 2005 and 2015, TRT reports Haber.
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