The Greek coast guard has denied the Turkish Defence Ministry's accusations that it had forced migrants to leave the island of Lesbos and enter Turkish territory.

The Turkish defence ministry had earlier uploaded a video of a Greek coastguard operation on the plaftform. X platform. It added that a Greek vessel pushed a boat with migrants north of Lesbos Island and into Turkish waters.

The Turkish Defence Ministry announced on X that "our coast guard command immediately received the information and the immigrants were rescued when the coast guard boat arrived in the region."

The senior Greek coastguard official replied that "this is not a pushback. It is detection and prevention illegal entry into Greek waters."

Aid groups have accused Greece of ejecting migrants by force at its land and sea borders. This practice, known as "pushbacks", is illegal.

NATO allies Greece and Turkey have been at odds for many years over issues such as where their continental shelf begins and ends, energy resources and flights over the Aegean sea, as well the ethnically divided island of Cyprus.

The latest incident occurred two days after Turkey invaded a part of the island in retaliation for a short Greek-inspired coup.

Greek Cypriots are in favor of reunification into a federation. Turkish Cypriots are in favour of a two-state solution.

Due to overlapping claims, the situation continues to be an emotional trigger, frustrating Ankara’s ambitions to join the European Union and hindering the energy potential of the east Mediterranean.

The two neighbours have agreed to revamp their relationship in 2023. They will establish a roadmap for a new era. Reporting by LefterisPapadimas, YannisSouliotis and EceToksabay from Athens; Editing and proofreading by BernadetteBaum)