Tsipras: Greece has stronger alliances than ever

"The risk of a 'hot' incident with Turkey is permanent," Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Friday in an interview with public broadcaster ERT.

Tsipras spoke of an "unpredictable neighbour" who does not respect international law.

At the same time, the prime minister did not conceal his concern about domestic tension within Turkey, which is often exported.

Therefore, "we have a reason to be on alert and ready," he stressed. 

"Greece has stronger alliances than ever," he said, noting that EU countries had supported the Republic of Cyprus at the last summit. He also underlined the trilateral alliances that Greece has established with countries in the region.

"We have managed to build a network of stability," he said, adding that "when the rest of us want to cooperate, only Turkey rejects the talks and proceeds to carry out provocative acts."

The prime minister's assessment was that Ankara's policy leads to an impasse and does not help Turkey's plans, and that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will eventually realise this.