By Bosphorus News Defense Desk
Türkiye's Ministry of National Defence used its weekly briefing at Gölcük on Thursday to reject the legal effect of Greece's new renewable-energy planning framework in the Aegean, restate military support for Syria and announce fresh NATO air-defense activity over Romania.
The briefing was held aboard TCG Koçhisar during TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan, which opened at Gölcük Shipyard Command on August 20. Ministry spokesperson Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk also gave updates on Black Sea activity, NATO exercises and border security.
MSB Rejects Legal Effect of Greek Aegean Energy Framework
The Defense Ministry said it was following Greece's new Special Spatial Framework for Renewable Energy Sources, introduced on August 19 and covering parts of the Aegean.
The ministry said the measure would have no legal effect on Türkiye's position, including over geographical formations Ankara says were not transferred to Greece under international treaties.
Türkiye would continue to protect what the ministry described as its rights and interests in the Aegean under international law. It also said disputes between the two coastal states should be addressed through international law, equity and good-neighborly relations.
The position follows a Foreign Ministry statement a day earlier rejecting any legal consequence from the Greek framework and warning against unilateral measures in closed and semi-enclosed seas.
No Turkish Delegation at Abu al-Duhur During Israeli Strike
The ministry also addressed Israel's August 18 strike on Syria's Abu al-Duhur airbase, saying no Turkish military delegation was at the facility before or during the attack.
MSB said attacks violating Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity were unacceptable and that Türkiye would continue helping Damascus strengthen its military capacity and infrastructure under the principle of "one state, one army."
The statement followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's description of the Abu al-Duhur strike as a warning against an expanding Turkish military presence in Syria.
Bosphorus News reported separately on Ankara's response to Netanyahu and Türkiye's decision to continue military support for Damascus.
MSB Addresses Israeli Operations in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria
Aktürk also addressed Israeli military operations in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.
He said Israel's rejection of the Gaza plan and continuation of attacks were undermining efforts toward a lasting settlement, while Gaza's humanitarian conditions and reconstruction remained unresolved.
The ministry also said Israeli military operations were continuing in southern Lebanon despite the existing framework agreement and described the latest strikes in Syria as violations of the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity.
MSB called for stronger international action against attacks on neighboring states and said Türkiye would continue supporting Syria's territorial integrity and stability.
Turkish F-16s Join NATO Air Defense Activity Over Romania
The Turkish Air Force was scheduled to conduct a training flight over the Black Sea on Thursday with combat and support aircraft, the ministry said.
Two Turkish F-16s were also due to participate in a NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence activity in Romanian airspace.
Türkiye completed the Baltic Trust counter-drone exercise in Latvia between August 4 and 14. Turkish aircraft have also taken part in allied air-defense activity on NATO's eastern flank this month.
At sea, the Italian Navy ship Raimondo Montecuccoli, operating with Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2), is scheduled to visit Antalya from August 23 to 25.
Military Diplomacy Continues Across Regional Files
The ministry also referred to calls made Wednesday by Chief of the Turkish General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu.
MSB did not provide additional detail on each conversation, but said Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and the chief of the General Staff were maintaining contacts with counterparts on regional security issues.
The calls came as Türkiye dealt simultaneously with the Israel-Syria dispute over Abu al-Duhur, Black Sea security and continuing instability across the Middle East.
TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan Opens at Gölcük
Thursday's briefing was held during the opening of TEKNOFEST Mavi Vatan at Gölcük Shipyard Command.
Turkish naval platforms at the event include TCG Anadolu, TCG İstanbul and TCG Burgazada, while Underwater Offence and Underwater Defence teams are scheduled to conduct demonstrations.
A naval passage through the Gulf of İzmit on August 19 involved TCG Anadolu and nine other ships alongside naval aviation assets.
Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and the Turkish Armed Forces command leadership were also scheduled to attend the event Thursday.
Three PKK Members Surrender, 588 People Caught at Borders
Three members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is designated as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States and the European Union, surrendered during the past week, according to MSB.
Turkish border units caught 588 people attempting to cross illegally, including four people the ministry identified as members of terrorist organizations.
MSB said 8,530 people had been caught attempting illegal crossings since January 1. Another 1,059 crossings were prevented during the past week, bringing the year-to-date total to 46,577.
Sources: Türkiye's Ministry of National Defence, Türkiye's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bosphorus News review and reporting.