Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis issued an unequivocal statement, firmly rejecting any suggestion that the restrictions blocking Turkey’s entry into the F-35 fighter jet acquisition program could be lifted. He made clear that any revision would require a new decision by the U.S. Congress. Responding during a parliamentary oversight session to a question from Alexandros Kazamias, a member of parliament for the Pleusi Eleftherias (Course of Freedom) party, Gerapetritis noted meaningfully that relations between Athens and Washington are at their best level in years, built on both credibility and mutual benefit.
Gerapetritis on Turkey and F-35s: “There is no question of lifting the restrictions”
“The restrictions provided for under U.S. law remain in force, and lifting them would require a new act of Congress. At this stage, there is absolutely no question of lifting those restrictions,” said the head of Greek diplomacy on the issue of Turkey’s potential acquisition of F-35s, adding that this matter falls under the authority of Congress, not the U.S. executive branch. “Greek foreign policy carries both a strong international footprint and the relationships needed to advance its own national interests when it comes to defense procurement,” Gerapetritis emphasized.
The Foreign Minister also drew a pointed comparison between Greece’s current position and where it stood in 2019, noting that at that time Athens was excluded from both the American fighter jet program and the F-16 upgrade program — while Ankara was still a participant in the F-35 program. Today, he said, Greece has secured the procurement of 20 F-35 fighter jets, with an option to acquire an additional 20. The first aircraft are expected to be delivered in November 2029 and will be stationed at the Andravida Air Base. Gerapetritis also highlighted the upgrade of 83 F-16 jets to the Viper configuration, noting that 56 aircraft have already been delivered in the new variant. “Greece today possesses defense capabilities it has never had before,” he stated emphatically.
MP Alexandros Kazamias, however, expressed concern over developments in Greek-Turkish relations, describing the current state of affairs between Athens and Ankara as critical, and accused the government of adopting an overly lenient stance. He argued that Athens should do “everything possible” to prevent Turkey from acquiring F-35s. “Foreign policy is not made through press releases,” Gerapetritis shot back, dismissing the notion that the government was taking a permissive approach. As the Foreign Minister stressed — not for the first time recently — Greece must not allow itself to be defined by the actions of other countries. “The days when this country defined itself based on what the Turkish press was writing or what another country was doing are gone for good,” Gerapetritis made clear.
