‘Unthinkable’ characterized her participation Turkey In the European Defense, the MEP and member of the European Parliament’s Security and Defense Committee, Nicolas Farantourisfollowing statements by the German Foreign Minister in view of his meeting with his Greek counterpart.
The German Foreign Minister, Johan Vadefulhad a scheduled visit tomorrow Monday with George Gerapetritiswhich is postponed because of the prime minister’s participation Kyriakou Mitsotakis and the Greek Foreign Minister in the signing ceremony of the Peace Agreement on Gaza in Egypt with their counterparts from other countries, at the invitation of the US President, Donald Trump.
OR Germany It wishes Turkey’s participation in the European Defense Program Safe for Defense Investments of 150 billion euros. The relevant regulation provides for the possibility of participating outside the EU, such as Turkey, as’homosexual country“And”potential candidate member».
As N. Farantouris said, “ Safe Regulation It was adopted by rapid proceedings by the Council of Ministers last May, with the consent of the Greek government, but bypassing the European Parliament, “which has appealed to the European court against the regulation.
“I had pointed out that Turkey is incompatible with the common European equipment program and I had described the Safe regulation”double back door“For Turkey’s entry into European Security and Defense Institutions, a characterization used by the Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendiasin a inter -party understanding of reality, “said MEP N. Farantouris.
«The European Parliament He has already given an institutional response to the Commission and the Council, calling for the annulment of the Safe Regulation to the Court. It was the latest line of defense against a decision that was made unlikely and endangering Europe’s cohesion and security, “the Greek MEP said.
He continued: “Berlin maintains close relations with Ankara with bilateral trade of € 47 billion and direct German investments in Turkey € 12 billion.
The SAFE program is an ideal opportunity for Germany to face recessionary threats to the economy by completing large supplies of war material, including 40 aircraft Eurofighter in the Turkish Air Force. “
However, as N. Farantouris notes, “Turkey’s equipment does not serve collective defense, as Mr Vandeful said in an interview with his visit, but Ankara’s reviewing aspirations at the expense of Athens and Nicosia.”
“I call on the Greek government to take advantage of the momentum we launched in the European Parliament and to resist Germany’s pressure. Berlin must collect a loud NO from Athens».