TURKEY renewed the threat of military action against Greece over an ongoing sovereignty dispute as an ally of Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a dire warning to Athens.

Turkey and Greece have long been embroiled in a tense territorial dispute over a large area of the East Mediterranean and a series of islands in the Aegean Sea. Turkish Speaker of the Grand National Assembly Mustafa Sentop, an ally of President Erdoğan, warned his country is ready to "take out" any wandering eye threatening its sovereignty. Speaking in the chamber on Wednesday, Mr Sentop said: "We never allow anyone to have an eye on our land or on a drop of water from our blue homeland.

"We take out that eye."

The Turkish Speaker continued: "Turkey has the power to do it. It is more powerful than it was 100 years ago.

"In this regard, we think our neighbour Greece is especially obligated to act with common sense, in line with international law, agreements and to respect Turkey's rights in the islands and the Mediterranean."

The tensions between the two Mediterranean countries have sparked concerns within the European Union, with France dispatching military support to help Athens.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis urged Brussels to impose "meaningful" sanctions on Ankara should President Erdoğan refuse to hold peaceful negotiations.

In an opinion piece shared on most major European newspapers on Thursday, Prime Minister Mitsotakis said: "We do need dialogue but not when held at gunpoint.

"What threatens my country's security and stability threatens the well-being and safety of all EU member states.

"If Europe wants to exercise true geopolitical power, it simply cannot afford to appease a belligerent Turkey."

He continued: "They should stand down, return to the table, and pick up from where they left off when they quit exploratory talks in 2016.

"And if we cannot agree, then we must seek resolution at the Hague."

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed on Thursday Greece and Turkey had both agreed to "technical talks" to avoid the risk of an open conflict in the East Mediterranean.

Mr Stoltenberg said: "Following my discussions with Greek and Turkish leaders, the two Allies have agreed to enter into technical talks at NATO to establish mechanisms for military de-confliction to reduce the risk of incidents and accidents in the Eastern Mediterranean.

"Greece and Turkey are valued Allies, and NATO is an important platform for consultations on all issues that affect our shared security.

"I remain in close touch with all concerned Allies to find a solution to the tensions in the spirit of NATO solidarity."

Both countries are due to attend the MED7 meeting held by French President Emmanuel Macron on the island of Corsica this week, where EU officials are expected to try bridging the gap between the two.

Source: express.co.uk