Greece is engaging in provocative and aggressive actions in the region, Turkey’s National Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said on Monday.

Akar said that in contrast, Turkey carries out all its activities in a “reasonable, logical and calm manner.”

“While we are acting this way, Greece is engaging in actions and rhetoric that are provocative, aggressive, and raising tensions,” Akar said in a video conference meeting with top military officials.

Saying that Greek officials are trying to create a false perception that Turkey is moving against Greece, he added “we are not in any way aggressive, we’re defending our rights.”

On the hundreds of asylum seekers pushed back by Greek authorities in recent months and years, he said attempting to pierce and shoot the boats of defenceless people in the middle of the sea is a grave crime against humanity and is immoral.

Turkey and human rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece’s illegal practice of pushing back asylum seekers, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children.