Greece recalled its ambassador to Azerbaijan on Wednesday after what it said were “unfounded and offensive” claims by the Azeri government that Greece tolerated militants on its soil.
In a rapid deterioration of bilateral relations, Athens says that it issued a “stern demarche” to the Azeri Ambassador at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.
The announcement by Athens in full:
“Following the completely unsubstantiated and insulting allegations made by the government of Azerbaijan regarding supposed tolerance on the part of the Greek state for preparation of terrorist actions, efforts to recruit terrorist fighters, and cyberattacks from Greek territory on Azerbaijan, in the context of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, a stern demarche was made to the Azeri Ambassador yesterday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Following the demarche, the Greek Ambassador to Azerbaijan, N. Piperigos, was summoned to Athens for consultations, by decision of Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias.”