Turkey is questioning the Greek sovereignty of Imia, with a statement of its foreign ministry according to which this particular region of the Aegean is not granted to Greece under international treaties. This was topped by provocations by Erdogan from within Hagia Sophia.

Athens has seriously warned Ankara, "Either respect International Law concerning Cyprus's rights over gas and petroleum exploration within its legal sea and continental shelf, either take the consequences for your EU membership", according to Parikiaki.