Turkey sits out NATO drill in Greece despite detente with Athens
The decision stemmed from historical territorial disputes between the two NATO allies.
ANKARA — Turkey did not join a NATO exercise in Greece this week due to airspace disputes with Athens, Turkish Defense Ministry sources said on Thursday.
Thirteen NATO countries joined the war games — officially called the Ramstein Flag exercise — which started in Greece on Sept. 30, according to NATO air command’s websites.
Ankara decided not to participate in the exercise after Athens demanded Turkey share flight data of Turkish airplanes “based on a Greek exercise plan claiming the Flight Information Region (FIR) in the region solely under its own authority,” according to Defense Ministry sources.
“Despite a positive approach from NATO authorities, participation in the exercise has not been possible due to Greece’s insistence on its stance as the host country,” a high-level Defense Ministry source told reporters.
