Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said that the Turkish leadership is pursuing a neo-expansionist policy, and religious leaders are seeking to return to the days of the Ottoman Empire. Dendias criticized the Turkish leadership after talks in Athens with Spanish FM Arancha Gonzalez Laya, RIA Novosti reported.

The minister mentioned the first prayer in the Hagia Sophia converted into a mosque in Istanbul, at which the head of the Turkish department of religious affairs, Ali Erbas, led the divine service with a sword in his hands and mentioned 1453 when Constantinople was captured by the Turks.

Europe, which condemns Turkey's neo-expansionist policies to the detriment of all its neighbors, also condemns all actions that undermine peace and stability in the eastern Mediterranean, the minister noted.

According to him, if Turkey decides to ignore the norms of international law, it should have a clear idea of ​​the borders of this, and Europe should be united when the sovereignty of it and any member state is violated.

Dendias also said Turkey's decision to suspend seismic exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean is a positive development. The Greek government has always said and continues to say that a necessary condition for dialogue is de-escalation by Turkey, he noted.

According to him, they believe that their disagreement with Turkey concerns the issue of the continental shelf in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean and adjacent sea areas.