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Türkiye's participation in new European Union defense programs is advancing despite objections from Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, with E.U. decisions being made through qualified majority voting rather than unanimity.
The development comes as Türkiye's National Security Council to be convened under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with Turkish media reporting that the meeting would examine protection of Ankara's rights and interests in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
EU member states have agreed to establish a €150 billion (nearly $170 billion) Defense Industrial Readiness Loan Instrument (SAFE) to boost the bloc’s defense sector, with Ukraine formally recognized as a partner country, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said.
In a statement on X on Wednesday, Shmyhal said the decision would help integrate Ukraine into the E.U.’s joint defense procurement efforts and open opportunities for Ukrainian firms within European supply chains.
He described the initiative as “important and urgent” for bolstering the security of both E.U. member states and Ukraine.
“We are stronger together,” Shmyhal said, thanking European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as well as Poland and other E.U. partners for their continued support.
SAFE is expected to channel significant loans to strengthen industrial capacity across the E.U. in response to rising geopolitical tensions and growing security demands on the continent.
The European Commission has not yet publicly commented on the timeline for the instrument’s implementation.
Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias expressed opposition to the development on Tuesday, making veiled references to Türkiye during a Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels.
"We cannot defend Europe if the enemy is within the walls," Dendias stated before the Brussels meeting, according to Greek media reports.
"It is inconceivable that states that threaten other countries and even members of the E.U., that do not recognise other countries and even members of the E.U., should be involved in the rearmament of the E.U.," he said.
Greek newspaper Kathimerini reported that Athens has been informed at various levels, from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, that the E.U. intends to cooperate with Türkiye on defense matters given the urgency of strengthening European capabilities.
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