19 June 1997

Turkey reacted with threats to the Greek-Armenian military protocol which was signed on 18 June 1997 in Athens by the Greek defense minister Arsenis and his Armenian counterpart Vazgen Sarkisian. The protocol includes cooperation between the two countries in military industry, army personnel training, military schools and exchange of armaments. The two countries agreed to invite Georgia & Iran for defense cooperation. Besides they agreed on the respect of the international borders and treaties and on the need for peaceful cooperation between the countries of the region.

A map published by the newspaper "Turkiye",
which is indicative of the Turkish panic.

Scarcely had the treaty been announced when the Turkish defense minister Oltan Sukyurlu declared exasperated: "Greece doesn't behave friendly towards Turkey, but Turkey is so powerful that can confront much stronger countries! Turkey has the power to nullify the treaty". The Turkish minister expressed his surprise for the Greek involvement in Caucasus. Furthermore he threatened Armenia: "Armenia has an urgent need for us. Its air connections depend on Turkey's permission and I don't think Armenia will act against us". Representatives of all turkish parties accused Greece for "its involvement in the Caucasus affairs, which is directed against Turkey".