With a clear message that Greece remains unwavering in its stance toward Turkey regarding its participation in European military equipment programs, Kyriakos Mitsotakis commented in his interview last evening on SKAI television that “for Turkey to enter the SAFE program, unanimity is required. As long as it persists with casus belli and raises gray zone issues, it will not enter the program. Greece will not allow it.”
As diplomatic sources reported regarding developments around the European SAFE program, the “common pool” of 150 billion euros for strengthening European defense industry, Athens will not consent to agreements with a country that threatens community and national interests. However, they acknowledge that “Turkey has indeed acquired an active role because it has upgraded its own industry. Defense and armaments have gained value, so countries that have developed their defense industry have been upgraded.”
SAFE: Turkey must comply with EU fundamental values and strategic priorities to participate in the program
The same sources note that Greece conducted tough negotiations at the European level for the terms of third-country participation in SAFE, particularly Turkey, which, although remaining outside the EU, seeks participation through its advanced defense industry capabilities.
Despite initial concerns, Athens did not exercise a veto but succeeded in securing safety clauses and alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). As Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had stated at the time, “whoever wants access to European funding must be aligned with EU security policy.”
In practice, this means Turkey is not automatically excluded from the program, but its participation becomes particularly difficult, as it requires compliance with EU fundamental values and strategic priorities, which currently does not apply – especially given ongoing tensions with Greece and Cyprus.
Regarding bilateral contacts, diplomatic sources remind that red lines are known by both sides, implying that dialogue can continue only if the framework of international law and good neighborliness is maintained.
The Greek side, according to the same sources, carefully monitors Turkey’s progress regarding its external moves and cooperation with third countries in the defense sector, while prioritizing the need to protect European cohesion and common interests.
