There is no risk of sanctions for the S-300 anti-missile system located in Crete, the US State Department clarified on Thursday. The statement comes as Turkey tries to create an issue against Greece within the NATO claiming an S-300 “locked” a Turkish F-16 fighter jet last month.
Responding to a related question from Hellas Journal website, a representative of the US Department of State explained that the presence of the system in Greece does not fall under the sanctions provided for by the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
“The acquisition of S-300s by Greece took place in the 1990s, decades before the adoption of the CAATSA law. Section 231 of the CAATSA Act imposes only significant transactions that occurred on or after August 2, 2017,” a State Department spokesperson said.
“We continue to encourage all NATO allies to ensure full interoperability within the alliance,” the spokesperson added.
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar reiterated on Friday the claims that Greek S-300 surface-to-air missiles stationed on Crete locked on to Turkish F-16 fighter jets on August 23 while carrying out a reconnaissance mission in international airspace.
Akar called on NATO governments to keep an objective stance towards Athens.
“NATO and third countries must keep an eye on what Greece is doing. Its actions and rhetoric towards Turkey do not abide by the rules of friendship and alliance,” Akar said during a visit to 1st Main Jet Base Command in the northwestern city of Eskisehir.
“[Greece] violates international law and good neighborly relations,” Akar said, adding that he will continue to respond to the “insolence” of Turkey’s Aegean rival.
Athens has repeatedly denied Ankara’s claims that the S-300 systems locked on to the Turkish warplanes. Ankara earlier this week said it has sent NATO proof of the incident.
