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Defense Minister Yasar Guler said Türkiye does not place much importance on whether it is included in the European Union’s Security Action for Europe program (SAFE), arguing that Europe will eventually turn to Ankara as its defense needs grow.
“We do not attach much importance to whether Türkiye will be included in the SAFE program,” Guler said. “At a critical time when they will be in great need, the time to speak will come to us.”
Speaking at the Annual Evaluation Meeting on Dec. 19 while answering questions from Ankara-based media representatives, Guler said the war between Russia and Ukraine has pushed countries to sharply increase defense spending, exposing Europe’s shortcomings and prompting efforts to build a European security architecture.
He said many European countries are eager to cooperate with Türkiye, noting widespread shortages.
“At present, many European countries face shortages in ammunition and weapons. They need a wide range of arms and technologies for defense and security,” Guler said.
Guler accused Greece of trying to block Türkiye’s participation in European defense initiatives.
“Nevertheless, we see that some countries, foremost Greece, are trying to keep Türkiye out of this formation by placing their own interests ahead of European security,” he said.
Türkiye has expressed interest in joining the EU’s €150 billion ($176 billion) Security Action for Europe initiative, a mechanism designed to strengthen European defense capabilities through joint procurement and competitively priced loans.
Although Türkiye is technically eligible to participate, approval from all 27 EU member states is required. Greece has threatened to block Ankara’s bid.
The European Commission confirmed in October that it received Türkiye’s request to join SAFE and is reviewing it.
“We indeed received a request from Türkiye. We also received one from South Korea,” commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier said at the time. “Our services are carefully analyzing these requests before deciding on any potential next steps.”
SAFE supports EU member states that seek to invest collectively in defense equipment to bolster readiness and strengthen the European defense technological and industrial base.
Under the rules, components originating outside the EU, EEA-EFTA countries and Ukraine cannot exceed 35% of the final product’s estimated cost.
The program requires unanimous approval for the participation of non-EU countries, a hurdle for Türkiye amid longstanding disputes with some member states.
SAFE is the first pillar of the EU’s ReArm Europe Plan, also known as Readiness 2030, which aims to enhance Europe’s defense posture.
Other pillars include higher national defense spending, greater flexibility in EU funding tools, an expanded role for the European Investment Bank, and efforts to mobilize private capital.
The initiative also seeks to support Ukraine’s integration into the European defense industrial base and reinforce collective defense in response to rising security challenges.
So far, 19 participating countries have submitted national defense investment plans under SAFE, which are being reviewed by the European Commission.
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