The Greek government under Kyriakos Mitsotakis has chosen to highlight its defense sector achievements as Turkey attempts to rejoin the F-35 program. The Maximos Mansion emphasizes Greek diplomatic successes while downplaying the Trump-Erdogan meeting, confirming that the country’s foreign policy is not externally determined.
Maximos Mansion: Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ defense strategy bears fruit
Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis emphasized the role reversal between Greece and Turkey. “Greece in 2019 had F-16s and F-35s as goals,” he stated characteristically, adding that “what Greece pursued in 2019 it has now secured, while what Turkey had secured then, it is now seeking.”
Pavlos Marinakis criticized those trying to create impressions of failure at a time when foreign policy is achieving results that hadn’t been accomplished for decades. “We will not be misled by those who want to undermine the country for opposition purposes,” he stressed.
Key meetings in New York while Erdogan was at the White House
It was no coincidence that while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was meeting with Donald Trump, Kyriakos Mitsotakis was conducting important contacts in New York. Specifically, he met with Lockheed Martin president Michael Williamson and ExxonMobil vice president John Ardill.
Government sources confirmed that the meeting with Lockheed Martin discussed excellent progress in F-16 upgrade programs and F-35 acquisition. Meanwhile, with the ExxonMobil vice president, energy cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean was examined.
Dendias on F-35: We were right to prioritize stealth fighters
Defense Minister Nikos Dendias commented on the possibility of Turkey’s return to the F-35 program with a post on X. “It was proven correct that we prioritized the F-35s,” he noted, responding to previous challenges regarding the priority of stealth fighters.
Dendias clarified that he doesn’t necessarily foresee Turkey acquiring F-35s, but emphasized: “To be honest, elementary prudence is for us to already have them and let the Turks try.”
Halki Theological School: New commitments from Erdogan
Of particular interest is the inclusion of the Halki Theological School issue on the Trump-Erdogan meeting agenda. The Maximos Mansion expresses satisfaction with the Turkish president’s commitment to Trump that Ankara will do what it should for the reopening of the historic school.
The Greek government maintains a wait-and-see stance to determine if and when Turkish commitments will be implemented. Regarding dialogue with Turkey, Marinakis clarified that “it is not an end in itself but a pursuit” and added: “We will not retreat from our positions. If this policy is bothersome, there will be no dialogue.”
