The deadline set by the European Commission for submitting national investment plans expires at the end of November, allowing member states and third countries to participate in Europe’s SAFE defense funding program.
Read: Nikos Dendias: Turkey’s participation in SAFE prohibited due to “aggressive stance” and “illegal actions”
Within these narrow margins, Turkey continues diplomatic negotiations to prevent its exclusion from participation. However, Greece’s Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, speaking from Cyprus on Monday, reiterated Greece’s and Cyprus’s intention to maintain their veto against Turkey’s inclusion in the program. As he stated, “there is a clear commitment from the European Commission regarding how contracts between the EU and third countries will be introduced for discussion
SAFE program: Greece and Cyprus veto Turkey over casus belli
On the other hand, European officials, such as EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas, as reported by Daily Sabah, consider Turkey a key EU partner. How likely is it, ultimately, that the Greek-Cypriot veto will be bypassed if Turkey does not lift the casus belli and retract its claims about gray zones in the Aegean, as our country demands?
International relations expert Paraskevi Kefala, speaking to parapolitika.gr, argues that “Turkey has no reason to back down, both for internal reasons – what would it tell its audience – and because everyone favors it. The problem is that a way will be found, because all Europeans want Turkey in SAFE. All of them. Whether they are in the European Union or not. Look, for example, at what happened with the sale of fighter aircraft from Britain and Germany“.
According to the International Relations professor, one of the tactics that countries wishing to include Turkey in the SAFE defense program have in their arsenal is the expansion of the program to fall under NATO’s umbrella as well. “Since the majority of NATO consists of European countries, if the program becomes European – NATO together, then the problem is solved and Turkey participates automatically. We haven’t reached that point yet. As things stand, in the foreseeable future Turkey cannot participate. The Europeans, however, have leverage. Nevertheless, one way or another Turkey will participate in SAFE. Everyone wants Turkey. Although it makes everyone’s life difficult, everyone wants it. Because it manages to impose itself as the necessary partner“.
Until now, however, Article 16 of the regulation stipulates that a third country’s participation in the program must not threaten the interests of other European Union member states. Greece and Cyprus appear determined to maintain their stance and continue excluding Turkey from defense funding.
