GETTY Turkey's President Erdogan has been speaking about his country's claim to Iraqi and Greek land

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The leader’s comments are fuelling speculation that the Middle Eastern nation is intent on land grabbing parts of Iraq, Syria and the Greek islands. In one recent speech, the 62-year-old said Turkey “did not accept the borders of our country voluntarily” and mentioned the National Pact – a plan made at the end of the Ottoman Empire to conquer the Iraqi city of Mosul. So far the global community has resisted President Erdogan’s desires to be involved in the current military campaign against Islamic State in Mosul, at the request of the Iraqi government.

The Istanbul-born politician lamented: “In 1914 our land covered 2.5 million square kilometres, nine years later it fell to 780,000 square kilometres.” Mr Erdogan’s fiery comments come as his country stands on the brink of potentially having a major referendum that could see its parliamentary democracy system replaced by an executive presidency, handing the ruling AK Parti boss significantly greater powers than he already has.

GETTY President Erdogan has been cozying-up to Vladimir Putin in recent months

GETTY On July 14 Turkey overcame a bloody military coup in which 250 were killed and 2,100 were injured

But his expansionist rhetoric may simply be an effort to appeal to Turkey’s nationalist factions, increasing the chance they would vote for his constitutional reforms in the referendum, expected to take place around April. Sinan Ülgen, a former Turkish diplomat and visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe, said: “Erdoğan is a savvy politician who understands very well the sort of emotional chords of the Turkish public. “This is part of an overall strategy to shore up national support that started in the wake of the elections last June.”

Asli Aydintasbas, a fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said: “Erdoğan has managed to introduce the idea that he is the only guy who can keep the country together, that Erdoğan’s survival is essentially the survival of the state of Turkey.” President Erdogan’s support has soared since the brutal military coup on July 15, in which more than 250 people died and 2,100 were injured. Turkey's Head of International Relations told Express.co.uk that her country has no desires to increase its size. Ayşe Sozen Usluer said: "Turkey’s policy towards Iraq and Syria is based on the principle of protecting the territorial integrity of the both countries. Turkey maintains its position and pursues the same policy with regard to Syria and Iraq. Turkish President frequently repeated that Musul belongs to the people of Musul and Aleppo belongs to the people of Aleppo. This is valid for all other parts of the respective countries. "Turkey does not have ambitions on the soils beyond its borders. If anything will be changing in the region with regard to their borders and administration, Turkey supports that the local people should be able to decide for their future. Therefore, it is first important to maintain freedom, democracy and stability in the region. "It is our responsibility as the international community to establish and maintain security and freedom in the region. "If any powers other than the people of Iraq stake a claim on the soils of Iraq or Syria, then Turkey is in a position to recall its historical ties in the region. This is not a signal for expanding Turkey’s border but it is a message to the others, who are involved in the local operations, reminding their limits."

A look back on the shocking Turkish military coup that left 294 dead Wed, July 27, 2016 The violent military coup to overthrow Turkey's President Erdogan has 'failed' leaving at least 104 dead and more than 1,500 wounded Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 42 A police officer talks with the soldiers involved in the coup attempt after they surrendered