KKE leader warns of rising tensions with Türkiye
Communist Party of Greece (KKE) General Secretary Dimitris Koutsoubas expressed concern over developments in Greek-Turkish relations, warning that Ankara’s claims in the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean continued despite a recent period of relative calm.
Speaking at a party event in Rhodes on Friday, Koutsoubas argued that the period of improved relations had not resulted in Türkiye withdrawing its claims but had instead been used to advance new demands in the region.
He cited the approval by Libya’s House of Representatives, based in eastern Libya and associated with Khalifa Haftar, of the Turkish-Libyan maritime memorandum, describing the development as a challenge to what he called misleading assurances from the Greek government and other political parties.
Koutsoubas accused Türkiye of using the agreement to claim maritime zones that Greece considers its own, questioning the rights of Greek islands to continental shelf and exclusive economic zone areas.
The Turkish-Libyan memorandum, signed in 2019, has been a longstanding source of disagreement between Athens and Ankara, with Greece disputing its validity and its impact on Greek maritime rights.
Concerns over energy cooperation and island infrastructure
The KKE leader also expressed reservations about the management of plans to link the electricity grids of Greece, Cyprus and Israel.
Turning to domestic issues, he criticised the government’s tourism development policies, arguing that the sector’s expansion had not adequately addressed the needs of workers and local residents.
He highlighted infrastructure shortcomings on Rhodes, including the need for flood protection projects, and raised concerns about staffing shortages at the island’s hospital.
Koutsoubas also called for the protection of the rights of refugees and migrants.
Visit to Kastellorizo and local communities
Earlier, Koutsoubas visited the nearby island of Kastellorizo, also known as Megisti, where he toured a primary school and a health centre and met residents.
His visit to the Dodecanese included discussions with local communities about public services, infrastructure and wider political developments affecting the islands.
Source:AMNA
