Akar visits Skopje a day after Tsipras

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar's visit to Skopje on Wednesday, just a day after Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was there with a large entourage of ministers and businessmen, is seen in Greece as an indication of Turkey's growing concern over Athens's new role in North Macedonia after the ratification of the Prespes agreement. 

The main purpose of Akar's visit to North Macedonia was to apply pressure on its government to extradite supporters of Fethullah Gulen - the exiled Turkish cleric accused by Ankara of orchestrating the failed coup in 2016 - but to also pledge that his country is prepared to help in the modernization of the Balkan country's army. 

However, keen on showcasing Turkey's role in the region, Akar said Ankara "supports any initiative of North Macedonia in the path of strengthening its Euro-Atlantic ties." 

During his visit on Tuesday,...